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citing it, or when excited, by supplying the language in which it should find most fifting expression.

For this purpose the works of nearly all our hymn writers have been examined, and the best of them laid under heavy tribute. By far the largest contribution has been levied on the compositions of the two Wesley, whose service in this department of Christian literature would probably be found, could we estimate its whole effect in the actual experience of now living and of glorified piety, the richest part of that entire legacy which their genius and sanctity have bequeathed to successive generations of believers from their own time to the end of all things. But to their composition others have been added of men worthy to stand by their side, together with the choicest productions of many more only just inferior to these, not only because of their often equal and sometimes greater excellence, nor only because of their acknowledged suitableness for the pur poses of religious worship, but also to render the book itself as much as may be, consistently with a purely evangelical faith, representative of the poetry and piety of the Christian world in general. Indeed, the hymns in this compilation have been taken from many sources, while a few of them have never before been incorpor ated in any English collection whatever.

Some of the hymns will be deemed long, but it has not been thought expedient to shorten them, since what is not required for public worship may be serviceable for private use, and since the verses selected at one time, or by one minister, may be omitted at another and by a second. As a rule it is not desirable, because fatiguing, to protract the singing in any one instance, but rather to sing frequently than to sing long.

Great pains have been taken to secure an authentic and accurate text. The hymns have been collated line by line with the original compositions, when accessible; when not, with the best editions that could be procured. In some cases emendations by later hands have been adopted in preference to the author's own words, but in no instance, it is believed, save where the emendation is a manifest improvement, or has been decisively ac cepted as such by the most competent judges, or by the voice of a common Christian sentiment.

In most cases the date of the first publication of the hymn has been appended, together with the author's name. When the name or date is enclosed between brackets, some uncertainty is denoted. The names of the authors of hymns of which translations are given are printed in italics, when not otherwise ind'cated.

Cordial thanks are due, and are here offered, to those who have permitted their copyright hymns to be used for this collection. Of these may be mentioned in par

For Dates, see the large type Editions.

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ticular the Rev. H. BONAR, D.D.; the Rev. H. FISH, M.A., for the copyright portion of his edition of C. Wesley's version of the Psalms; Miss WINKWORTH, for bymns from "Lyra Germanica; " R. MASSIE, ESQ., or his beautiful translations from the German; the TRANSLATORS of "Hymns from the Land of Luther; he Rev. W. MERCER, M.A., for hymns 172 and 267, from is" Church Psalter and Hymn Book;" Messrs. LONGAN&Co., for permission to insert some hymns from he first series of "Lyra Germanica" and "Lyra Donestica;" and to all others whose contributions, still reognized as private property, add to the completeness nd value of this BOOK OF PRAISE.

The compilers commend their work to the Church of hrist in general, but to the Denomination which they ave especially sought to serve in particular, in the hope hat, in instances which no man can number, it may be means of manifold spiritual profit, kindling the fire of evotion in hearts where little or no such fire existed efore, and carrying up before the Lord, as incense ever rateful to Him, now the prayer of penitence, and again ae voice of praise.

For the Second Division, from Hymns 343 to 89, Mr. Wesley's arrangement has been generally pre

rred.

*** The small figure, in brackets, following the umber of some of the Hymns, indicate the Number the same Hymn in the former Book.

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