PREFACE TO THE EDITION WITH TUNES.
THE task committed to the compilers of this Edition with Tunes was to provide suitable musical expression for each hymn in the Wesleyan HymnBook, and its New Supplement. In attempting this they have kept in view the variety of congregations who have the Hymn- Book in use, a variety which arises, not only from great diversity of musical knowledge and culture, but from well- marked peculiarities of local taste and custom, with which the compilers had the advantage of being extensively familiar. This Collection does not, of course, profess to comply with the canons of any one school of Psalmody; the resources of most schools have been brought under contribution. Some of the tunes selected have been long unheard in many of our congregations; but, while these would have been refused by a severe taste, their exclusion would in certain localities have been deemed almost an affront to sacred associations. In the case of tunes wedded by general custom to particular hymns, the union has not been disturbed, although, in some instances, there was little plea but that of usage for their admission.
Tunes of long- established reputation have been carefully gathered, while no pains or cost has been spared to secure, when possible, compositions of more recent date, which have worthily risen into general favour. In addition to these, there will be found tunes now published for the first time, which will, doubtless, be regarded as a valuable contribution to our congregational and domestic psalmody.
it has not been considered expedient to encumber this Collection with marks of time or expression, since these are affected by the varying sentiment of the hymn and the character of the congregation, and must be regulated, from time to time, by good sense and religious feeling.
As the Hymn- Book contains some hymns intended solely for purposes of private devotion, and others which are used only on rare and special occasions; tunes suitable to these have been indicated by reference; while for certain other hymns more than one tune has been provided.
The form of the book has been decided after long and most careful consultation and enquiry. It has the great advantage of presenting at once both the hymn and its tune