PREFACE.
IX
In the suggestion itself I entirely concurred; and no opportunity for carrying it out seemed so suitable as the present, when a considerable number of congregations were waiting for a new edition in order to be supplied.
The present Editions contain 106 additional hymns. In selecting these, I have carefully examined every known source which appeared to me worth the trouble, and especially the Protestant Hymnology of Germany, rich beyond description in the number, variety, and value of its stores. A large proportion of the new Hymns consists of its choicest gems. Of these, not a few are from the pen of earlier translators: for the remainder I am chiefly indebted to the kindness of living translators.
In acknowledging the services of the latter, I have to thank very sincerely Miss Coxe, of Oxford, for Hymns 163, 401, 455, 461, 462; the Rev. E. Jackson, Incumbent of St. James', Leeds, for Hymn 319; and the Rev. H. G. Bunsen, Vicar of Lilleshall, for Hymn 105. Upon the kindness of R. Massie, Esq., of Pulford Hall, Wrexham, I have drawn very largely. Not only has he allowed me to enrich my collection with some of the finest hymns of Luther, from his" Spiritual Songs of Luther," but he has translated a large number of other German Hymns expressly for this work. The former are Hymns 64, 104, 142, 143, 481: the latter, Hymns 92, 93, 106, 135, 161, 185, 404, 436, 463, 482, 500, 501, 502, 504, 506.
Some of the German Hymns may be considered of too great length for English congregations. This inconvenience has been obviated by dividing them, when necessary, into two or more parts.
One of the ablest judges of the day, in a communication with which he has favoured me, says," I think it is a great pity to leave out verses of Hymns, if it can by any means be avoided. Every clergyman can choose as many verses as he likes. The one likes this; the other, that. Again, in altering words I think that great care should be taken. The way hitherto has been to cut, eliminate, alter, change, and thus wholly destroy the Hymn as it came forth out of the mind of the author." In this view I perfectly concur, and accordingly, in the present edition, I have bestowed the greatest pains in revising the text, and, when necessary or desirable, restoring it to its original integrity. This has occasioned the transfer of a few Hymns, and amongst others, of Hymn 266( see Hymn 487) and Hymn 230( see Hymn 65), one of the finest of Paul Gerhardt's. The Psalter, as well as the Hymn- Book, has undergone a thorough revision, and at the instance of some friends, has been furnished with additional marks, so as to remove every difficulty that may possibly arise in its musical interpret
ation.
Both editions, large and small, exactly correspond. The additional music which I have felt it necessary to select, has, of course, been submitted to the
revision of Mr. Goss.
Some of my brethren have expressed a doubt whether the music can be of any use to the poorer members of their flocks. Experience may, perhaps, be allowed to decide the point. In the Churches where the work is already introduced, so far as I have been given to understand, the poor are as partial to the music as to the Hymns; and even assuming that many of the present generation of adult poor can benefit but little by it, yet their children will. By being familiarized from their infancy, in the Church and in the school, to the sight of a given number of notes, they will gradually acquire the use of them, and so be enabled to take a more intelligent part in the choral praises of the congregation. To this