iv
PREFACE TO THE TUNE- BOOK.
attained equally throughout; and the Editor appeals with confidence to the forbearance of the discriminating critic in respect of the occasional exceptions which, in spite of the best informed counsels and aids, may have occurred.
Many choirs and congregations will welcome the re- appearance, under Methodist auspices, of the compositions of Stanley, Leach, Clark, Arnold, Phillips, etc., as being( at least from the evangelistic standpoint) unrivalled as exponents of the profoundly spiritual, intensely nervous, and soul- stirring hymns of Charles Wesley, and others of a like type. Generally speaking, the pitch of these tunes has been lowered, so as to bring them within average congregational capacity, and by this means a long- standing and oft- stated objection to their use has been removed.
Every care has been exercised to avoid giving needless offence to the cultured ear, by a thorough revision of the vocal parts; but it is freely admitted that the severer judgments of taste have been sacrificed whenever the claims of practical usefulness have been felt to be paramount.
The scope of the work, metrically considered, will be best appreciated after an examination of the Index to the Metres; and, although the book cannot aspire to the position of an independent and complete Tune- Book, it is yet thought that, in addition to its principal purpose, it may also be found to be of value as an auxiliary of the ordinary service of song in the House of the Lord.
The tunes
The Editor is indebted for much information and many hints to the kindness of friends in various parts of the kingdom, in particular to his good friend, Mr. C. J. Dale, of London, who at much trouble has revised the sheets. printed herein for the first time, viz; Nos. 2( Ebor); 17, 1st tune( Alverton); 33( Holtby); 60(' Haste, traveller, haste'); 108( Yes, Lord Jesus'); 110( Dunelm); 183( Seaton Carew); 213( Requital); and 245( Triumph); are the property of the and not be published in other collections without permission. composers, Hearty thanks are hereby tendered to the owners of the following copyright tunes and arrangements for kindly allowing their use:
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To the proprietors of Hymns Ancient and Modern, for No. 15( Angelus); to Messrs. J. Masters& Co., for No. 61( Redhead); to Miss M. V. G. Havergal, for her sister's tunes, Nos. 71( Urbane) and 92( Hermas); to Mrs. Mercer, for Nos. 72( Bohemia) and 112( Veni, Sanctus Spiritus); to Mr. Sankey, for Nos. 74 ( I have a Saviour'), 134( Why not to- night'), 203( The ninety and nine'), and 248( Yet there is room'); to the Rev. J. Mountain, for Nos. 119( More holiness give me') and 159( Precious, precious'); to the Newcastle Wesleyan Service of Song Committee, for No. 138( Jesmond); to Mrs. C. B. Snepp, for Nos. 139( Kocker) and 204( Munich); to Mr. Alfred Rhodes, for No. 201( Never part again'); to Mr. J. H. Jude, for No. 217( Galilee); to Mr. J. W. David, for Nos. 227 ( Illyria) and 245( Triumph); and to Mr. J. Burnham, for No. 244( Brooklyn).
Much labour has been taken to discover the authors and owners of tunes, in order to obtain their permission to make use of them in this collection; but if in any case the Editor has failed to request permission where it should have been sought, he trusts he shall be forgiven for such oversight.
With many prayers for the Divine blessing to go with it, this little Hymn and Tune Book is now sent forth.
LANCELOT MIDDLETON.
Seaton Carew,
West Hartlepool,
April, 1882.