Entered, according to the Act of Congress, in the year 1843, BY GIHON, FAIRCHILD, & CO., In the clerk's office of the district court of the eastern district of PREFACE. MANY persons of piety and good taste in literature, have lamented the prosaic and inelegant style of most of the hymns and spiritual songs in general use. Watts, Rippon, the Wesleys, and other devout men, have undoubted claims to our grateful regard for their lyrical compositions-but we should not so reverence their labors as to forego the advantages of improvement. In the preparation of the selected hymns in this volume, I profess to have disregarded the originals, wherever departure therefrom appeared desirable. Exten. sive alterations have been made in imagery, expression, rhythm and rhyme. In some cases, the hymns have been so remodelled as to present slight indications of their primitive form, and in many instances new stanzas have been substi tuted for exscinded portions. For this reason, the names of authors are omitted, and the alterations are not in any way designated. It is believed that much has been done in the way of improvement-and conceded, that much more remains to be accomplished. Many original hymns are inserted. To some of them the initials of the writers are affixed, and the authorship of others is acknowledged in the Index. These are not presented as specimens of what sacred lyrical poetry should be-but as a contribution to the materials from which a volume of better compositions may hereafter be arranged. In the preparation of the music, simplicity and variety were consulted. The tunes are generally easy of execution; and a sufficient number is furnished to gratify every reasonable taste. The solemnity of Old Hundred, and other pieces of the olden time; the brilliancy of Refuge and Gospel Banner; the exultation of Ilford and Creation; and the pathos of Benneville and kindred harmonies,are here presented in varied but not incongruous affinity. And believing that many of the most beautiful secular melodies might be profitably appropriated to devotional purposes, a number of them have been harmonized and inserted in this work. Care has been taken to select such as are disconnected with improper associations. But should some pious persons disapprove this appropriation, they may set aside the harmonies referred to, and find herein a sufficient variety of music originally composed for religious use. In some of the tunes, those who have studied music as a science will find deviations from established rules. Were the book prepared exclusively for the use of scientific persons, these deviations would be excluded-but it should be remembered that a tune which is condemned as a barbarism by one, may be highly valued by another-and since a sufficient variety is presented to gratify the taste of all, without injury to any, it is hoped that occasional eccentricity will be considered admissible, even by musical critics. The sentiment of the hymn should always determine the style of execution in the music. Singing is but speaking with greater modulations of voice-and as in speaking, so in singing,-the movement should be faster, or slower-the expression exulting or pathetic, and the tone louder or softer, according to the nature of the theme. And since the corresponding words in the several stanzas of a hymn, seldom properly admit of the same expression, it is manifest that the musical marks of piano, forte, and the like, are of little service, excepting in music to which words have been expressly adapted-as in Anthems. For this reason, I have omitted all such marks, saving in a few instances. He who understands and feels the sentiment, will cause sense and sound to correspond, if he possess but ordinary knowledge of music and a tolerable voice,-while he who either does not understand, or, understanding, feels no sympathy with the sentiment expressed, will sing with little profit to others and less to himself, however scientific his execution, or melodious the intonations of his voice. The motto of this volume is full of meaning: "I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also." I gratefully acknowledge my obligations to Rev. Thomas Whittemore, of Boston, editor of the "Songs of Zion;" Rev. Joshua Leavitt, of New York, editor of the "Christian Lyre;" and Lowell Mason, Esq., of Boston, editor of "The Choir," for permission to copy music from these publications, respectively. The tunes will be found duly credited-but I feel that I should not do myself justice without inserting this prefatory notice of the favor received. Especially are my acknowledgments due to the gentleman first named for unrestricted permission to copy from his late valuable work. A. C. T. All power and grace to God belong 113 Almighty and immortal King. 34 Almighty Father, gracious Lord.. 219 Almighty Father, gracious power. 185 Almighty Maker, God ... 287 250 124 65 19 Although no flowers the fig tree.. 159 ... .*521 299 59 189 74 Blest be the dear uniting love..H. 166 Blest be the tie that binds. Blest Saviour, who didst Blow ye the trumpet, blow Bowed beneath the weight of 284 68 415 336 Bread of heaven, on thee we feed 391 227 ........ 307 Cease, ye mourners, cease to ..... Come, ye who know and fear.... 191 Come, ye who love the Lord ..... 292 Dear Father, to thy mercy seat.. 155 Dear Friend of friendless sinners. 499 Dear Lord, we now must part.... 285 Dear Saviour, thy victorious love 258 Dear Saviour, we are thine...... 306 Dear Saviour, we meet in thy. .... 574 Descend from heaven, immortal.. 57 Dismiss us with thy blessing, Lord Divinely blest are they 48 *328 Earth and time are darkly smitten *53 ...... ... 52 88 Faith, hope and love now dwell.. 229 ... ..... 573 452 13 235 .. 247 80 361 464 164 Hail, great Creator, wise and good 15. ... 409 468 343 5 366 256 Gently, Lord, O gently lead us 77 23 16 133 25 223 How gracious the promise, how 554 How rich thy favors, God of grace 208 |