FOR THE USE OF THE PROTESTANT CHURCH OF THE UNITED BRETHREN, OR UNITAS FRATRUM. A NEW AND REVISED EDITION. Come before his presence with singing.-PSALM c. 2. I will sing of thy power; yea I will sing aloud of thy mercy.-PSALM lix. 16. I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.-1 OOR. BETHLEHEM: PREFACE. This volume consists of two parts, the LITURGY and the HYMNSfor the use of the PROTESTANT CHURCH of the UNITED or MORAVIAN BRETHREN. The former has been slightly modified, in conformity with the sanction, granted by the General Synod, held at Herrnhut, in the year 1848. The collection of Hymns consists partly of translations from the Ger man, (marked by an asterisk,) and partly of original compositions. In presenting to our American Congregations this revised Edition, we acknowledge our indebtedness to the improved and enlarged collection of Hymns, published in 1849 by our Brethren in England, wherein they were aided by the valuable services of Brother JAMES MONTGOMERY, to whom his brethren are thus under lasting obligations. By the omission of hymns of inferior merit, or but seldom used on account of their tunes, the size and cost of the present volume have been reduced; while, at the same time, a selection of new hymns has been added from the above edition, published in London. The former numbers of the hymns, retained from the late American edition, are re-inserted in brackets. The numbers of the tunes correspond with those of the Tune Book, published by Brother Peter Wolle, for the use of our Church in this country. Some of the hymns, in the present edition, have been adapted to more familiar tunes. From the Preface to the London Edition of 1849, we subjoin, in substance, the following remarks. It is hoped, that the introduction of new hymns in the ordinary metres, however excellent and welladapted for public worship, may not tend to bring into disuse the more characteristic psalmody of our own Church, with its noble melodies. The nature of our services warrants the use of a great variety of metre; and the decline among us of the ability or the inclination, te turn this variety to proper account, would be greatly deplored. Every effort should be made to prevent it, or to stay its progress, by teaching our children and young people to sing our tunes, and by using, on all suitable occasions, the hymns and melodies referred to. This may be done, especially in the liturgical services, peculiar to the Brethren's Unity, in which,-in conformity with the precept of the apostle (Col. 3, 16,) we endeavour to render this beautiful portion of divine worship a vehicle, not only of praise and prayer, but also of mutual instruction, comfort and edification. May all who use these Hymns, experience at all times the happy effects of compliance with the apostolic injunction, (Eph. 5, 18. 19,)— "Be filled with the Spirit; speaking to yourselves in psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord." Yea, may they anticipate, while here below, though in an humble and imperfect strain, the song of the blessed above, who, being redeemed out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation, and having washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb, are standing before the throne, and singing in perfect harmony with the myriads of angels that surround it: (Rev.5, 9 to 12; and 7, 9 to 14.) "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain, to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing, for ever and ever. Amen." |