The Manual of Praise: For Sabbath and Social Worship

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PREFACE.

188

In the preparation of this book the aim has been to put into a compact and convenient form a choice collection of the most serviceable Hymns andTunes. It would have been a less laborious task to make a compilation, which, with its larger range of Hymns, might have suited a greater variety of peculiar tastes. But it is believed that the average want will be more fully met by a winnowed selection, even though a few kernels of grain should be blown away with the chaff, For experience proves that Hymns and Tunes do not become useful until worshipers have become used to them ; and certainly no single congregation will ever use familarly more than six hundred hymns.

We have undertaken to prepare a MANUAL suited to all occasions Jabbath Services, the Chapel, the Prayer Meeting, the Sunday School, he Missionary Meeting, the Class Room, and Family Worship. Economy s one of the least of the advantages which come from the general use of jut one book of worship. Children need to become familiar with the

Church music in order that they may join in Congregational Singing, and that they may be saved from the debilitating influence of those wrak ephemeral productions that constitute the staple of our popular Sunday School collections. Church Choirs and Prayer Meeting Worshipers should learn to blend their voices in common acts of praise. To promote such general use of this Manual, a considerable number of carefully chosen popular melodies have been inserted, some of them'specially suited Ilie Prayer Meeting, others to the Sunday School.

The Biblical association of every hymn is indicated by a snotto or reference. When the hymn is evidently not based upon or inspired by any. particular passage the reference is given in italics.

The topical arrangement of the hymns, and the carefully studieti adaptation of them to tunes, have required an amount of time ane labor not anticipated when the work was begun; but the expenditure will not be regretted, if it shall, in any measure, help to elevate and purify the Service of Song.

We are under special obligation to the Pastors of the Churches in Oberlin, and to several of the Professors in the Theological Seminary, aud College, for valuable counsel and aid.

HIKAM MEAD.

FENELON B. RICE.
OBERLIN, O. June, 1880.

CONTENTS.