Methodist Hymn-Book

802 Pages·2016·14.11 MB·English

2013-01-27 15:06:23 UTC
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46.39.35.97
Russian Federation

METHODIST
HYMN-BOOK.
COMPILED AND PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY OF THE
GENERAL CONFERENCE OF THE METHODIST
CHURCH OF CANADA.
Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,
singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.
"Eph. V. 19.
TORONTO:
Methodist Book Publishing House.
and
HALIFAX:
Methodist Book-Room.
1881.
Pica" 12mo.
^)^:^^"'^
Entered sccordingto the Act of the Parliament of Canada, in
the yearone thousand eighthundred and eighty-one, by the Rev.
William Brioos, in the Officeof the Ministerof Agriculture,
at OtUwa.
Btsreottpkdand Printed at thb "Christia.j Guardian " Offick,
78 " 80 Kino Street East. Toronto.
PREFACE
THE influence of hymns of praise upon religious life has been
feltand acknowledged in all ages, and in all branches of the
Christian Church. From the beginning of the great religious
awakening of the last century to the present time, the rich treasures
of gospel truth and Christian experience, embodied in our noble
Wesleyan hymns, have been among the most potent forces in the
history of Methodism. These hymns have been a liturgy and a
confession ot faith ; promoting the spirit of devotion and soundness
in doctrine, among " the people called Methodists."
The union, in 1874, of the Wesleyan Methodists and the
Methodist New Connexion of Canada in one body, under the name
of " The Methodist Church of Canada," and the expiration of the
copy-right of the English Wesleyan Hymn-Book, the same year,
rendered it necessary cither to adopt the Hymn-Book of some other
branch of Methodism, or to compile a new book of praise for the
use of the congregations and families of our Church. The whole
subjectwas fully considered at our first General Conference in
1874 It was felt to be the imperative duty of the Church to
supply our people with the best collection of hymns for public and
socialworship, that it was possible to obtain. The advantages of
preparing a Hymn-Book, adapted to the wants of our Canadian
people, and of which our Church would possess the copy-right, were
too obvious and weighty to wan-ant any other course. A Committee
was appointed to prepare the materials for a new Hymn-Book, and
report to the next Qeneral Conference. This Committee was
composed of the Hon. L. A. Wilmot, Rev. Enoch Wood, D.D.,
Bev. G. Douglas, LL.D., Rev. E. Hartley Dewart, Rev. John
Lathern, Rev. John A. Williams, Rev. G. S. Milligan, Rev.
James Caswell, Rev. Alexander Sutherland, Rev. John
McMuRRAT, Rev. D. D. Currie, Rev. A. W. Nicolson, Rev. E. B.
Habpir, M.A., Bev. N. Burwash, B.D., Rev. W. Williams, Rev.
Chablkb Stewart, D.D., Mr. John Macdonald, Hon.
and
W. 0. SsRONa.
3
PREFACE.
The Committee met in the city of Quebec,in August, 1878, and
"pent nearly two weckc in determining what hymns in the old
Wesleyan Hymn-Book should be omitted, and what abbreviations
or enzendations should be made in those retained. This work was
submitted to the General Conference, which met in Montreal the
following September, with a recommendation that all the hymns
selected for the New Hymn-Book, whether from the original
Collection, or from other sources, slioukl be arranged under suitable
heads, according to their subjects.After full consideration, the
following resolution was adopted :" " That the Beport ofthe Hymn-
Book Committee be adoptedf and that the Committee be re-appointed,
and authorized to complete and publish the Hymn-Book within two
years." The Hon. L. A. WiLMO? having died before the first
meeting of the Committee, David Allison, LL.D., was appointed
in his
place.
Having their authority renewed, and their work definitely
specified,the Committee applied themselves to carry out to successful
completion the important task assigned them by the General
Conference. The main work stillto be done was the selection of
new hymns, and the proper classificationof the whole. In numerous
meetings as separate sections, and afterwards in a protracted session
of the Committee, held at Cobourg, during September, 1879, a great
deal of prayerful thought and earnest labour were devoted to the
work of preparing such a Hymn-Book as would fully meet the
requirements of our Church, in allitsvaried services.
The revision of the " Collection," so long used in every section
of Wesleyan Methodism, was the most delicate and dilHcult part of
the work. It was surrounded by many hallowed and cherished
associations ; having been for a century a source of consolation and
strength to multitudes of God's people. The Committee, therefore,
were unanimous in resolving to leave out no hymn which, by its
adaptation to public worship, or private devotion, had vindicated a
right to a place in the psalmody of the Church. But they feltthat
hymns, which after a trial of nearly a hundred years, had revealed
littleor no adaptation for use, might be safely omitted, to make
place for others of greater practicalvalue. Some long hymns have
been divided; and others shortened to a moderate length, by
imperfect inferior In few instances,
omitting or stanzas. a where
figures, beautiful
some solecism, or offensive confusion of marred a
hymn, itwaa thought better to adopt an appropriate emendation,