THIRD PREFACE.

THE present Editions contain a few alterations, which have been made at the special instance of some earnest well- wishers to the work. I felt, moreover, that its recent introduction into St. Paul's Cathedral, at the Special Evening Services, laid me under an additional obligation to render the book as perfect as human care could make it.

One Hymn( 87) has been transferred, and one( 100) eliminated: two Hymns( 15 and 411) have been par­tially recast, and three added at the end: these are the principal alterations in the text of the Hymn

Book.

The whole of the music, with the exception of two tunes( Coburg or Christmas Hymn, and Gotha) composed by H. R. H. the Prince Consort, and in­serted by his gracious permission, has undergone another and most anxious revision by Mr. Goss. The harmonies may now safely be pronounced to be no longer susceptible of improvement.

Some valuable suggestions kindly tendered by the Dean of St. Paul's, I have gladly adopted.

To quiet unnecessary alarm, I ought to add that the alterations, whilst they greatly promote the general serviceableness of the work, will interfere only in a very slight degree with the use of the Editions already in circulation. And to obviate as far as possible any little inconvenience that may occur, printed copies of the alterations will, on appli­cation, be furnished gratuitously to the Clergy of those Churches which have already adopted the work.

I am fully sensible of the strong repugnance which. many naturally feel to the slightest changes in a work