PREFACE.
the sense and strength of the hymn. Tunes are now much shorter and sung more quickly than formerly, and the service of praise is becoming, and ought to become, a more important and prominent part of public worship.
Like other Christians, however, Primitive Methodists do not require hymns for public worship only, for they need them for the sick chamber, for the marriage feast, for funerals, for journeys by sea and land, for various social gatherings, for the home sanctuary, for personal and private use, for praising the Lord' secretly among the faithful,' as well as in the' great congregation.' All these objects the committee have kept in view, hoping that the Hymnal will become a precious companion to all classes of our people in the varying conditions of life.
It will be observed, that a method of arrangement has been followed, whereby hymns of the same metre are placed together. While this interferes somewhat with the logical sequence of the Hymns, it is thought that the advantages to be gained in the compilation of the Edition with Tunes will amply justify a departure from the ordinary method of arrangement.
Thanks are hereby most respectfully tendered to those authors and publishers who have courteously granted permission to print hymns in which they have a copyright. Obligations are due especially to the following:-The Right Rev. the Lord Bishop of Exeter; the Very Rev. the Dean of Wells; the Rev. Canon Furse, for hymns by the late Dr. Monsell; the Rev. Canon Dayman; Cardinal Newman; the Ven. Archdeacon Pott; the Rev. Dr. Allon; the Rev. Dr. Hannay; the Rev. C. Wordsworth, for hymns by the late Bishop of Lincoln; the Rev. Dr. Bonar; the Revs. James Hamilton, John Ellerton, W. Garrett Horder, T. Vincent Tymms, E. E. Jenkins, H. A. Mills, Sabine B. Gould, W. Tidd Matson, Godfrey Thring; Sir Edward Denny; Mr. W. C. Dix; Messrs J. Masters& Co.; Messrs. Longman& Co.; the Proprietors of Hymns Ancient and Modern'; Messrs. Nelson& Sons; Messrs. T. Walrond, for hymns by the late Dean Stanley; Albert Midlane; Mrs. Downton; Miss V. G. H. Havergal; Miss Frances E. Cox; Mr. W. H. Groser; Messrs. Macmillan& Co., for hymn 86, by Lord Tennyson; Mr. Geo. Morrish; Messrs. Oliphant& Co.; Messrs. Novello, Ewer& Co.; Messrs. Smith, Elder& Co.; Messrs. George Rawson, T. Stamford Raffles, J.P.; Mrs. Punshon, Mrs. Moultrie, and Mrs. Lynch.
If any persons to whom the committee are indebted have not been mentioned, or any hymns inserted without permission, it is an oversight and not intentional, and it is hoped this apology will be accepted.
In securing the sanction for copyright hymns, obtaining the names and dates of authors, and making several of the Indexes, valuable assistance has been rendered by Mr. W. T. Brooke, who is an able expert in hymnology, and who possesses the original editions of most of the hymn books which have been issued. The indebtedness of the committee to him is hereby respectfully acknowledged.
At the risk of its being considered invidious for the name of any of their own members to be mentioned, the committee cannot forbear acknowledging the eminent services of Dr. George Booth, J.P., of Chesterfield, in obtaining the best versions of the hymns, and in the time and labour which, at great sacrifice, he has bestowed on the work from its commencement to its completion.
That the Hymnal will be, or deserves to be, regarded as faultless, is not for a moment thought or expected. The committee, in the fragments of time which they have been able to snatch from other numerous and pressing engagements, have done the best they could; and they now send forth the fruit of their efforts, praying that it may contribute in some humble degree to the more worthy praise of the Triune GodFATHER, SON, AND HOLY GHOST.
THE HYMNAL COMMITTEE.
June, 1889.