stowed on the Protestant Church, as his first gift, a book of praise-hymns and music-composed by himself. Calvin, and the other leaders of the Reformation, likewise encouraged the people to congregational singing. It is one of the foundation stones of the Church of England, that any psalm or hymn, founded on Holy Scripture, may be sung by congregations. Nonconformist Churches have been especially attached to the use of hymns.

In the secret experience of believers, the influences of Divine song have been attested in every age. The forthgivings of the sacred lyre have sustained converts in renouncing all for the Gospel's sake, have comforted apostles "in the inner prison," and strengthened martyrs amidst the flames. The anthem of praise has gladdened the sorrowful, and cast on the wounded spirit the balm of consolation. In the chamber of sickness, when even the soothing voice of affection has become irksome, and the memory has almost lost its power, the countenance of the dying has glowed with joy on the repetition of cherished hymns. The hymns acquired in childhood prove the only friends which survive to comfort old age.

A great impulse has lately been imparted to hymnological studies. Collections of hymns are constantly being issued, and persons endowed with the gift of

song are consecrating their genius to the service of the

sanctuary.

The Editor of the present work has endeavoured to provide a Collection suitable for all the Churches. In accomplishing his design, he has devoted himself to three departments, the presentation of approved and classical hymns, the restoration of the original texts, and the assignment of each composition to the proper author.

Respecting the first department, the Editor has, by arranging the hymns under their several authors, in alphabetical order, avoided the difficulty attendant on procuring hymns suitable to particular occasions, which has led not a few of his predecessors to the adoption of compositions unworthy of a place in the national psalmody. He has made his selections with the utmost care, and has only inserted those compositions which seemed to combine devotional fervour with poetical excellence.

The restoration of the original texts has proved a task singularly arduous. Nearly every hymn, which has been adopted by compilers, has been altered or mutilated. These textual interferences have occurred with the most untiring persistency, and in quarters alto

gether unexpected. Only in rarest instances have the alterations proved to be improvements. As a rule, the innovations have marred the harmony, destroyed the rhythm, and even altered the sense of the original writers.

The task of restoration would have been simple, had the latest or best editions of the different authors been readily attainable. But it has been otherwise. Though the Editor has enjoyed advantages which were certainly never before possessed by any compiler of sacred song, he has frequently had to search for a course of years for particular originals. His researches were commenced in 1857; and though he cannot accuse himself of any lack of diligence, he has been enabled to procure some original readings, only as these pages have been passing through the press.

In the department of authorship, the Editor has provided brief memoirs of the hymn-writers, and these often from original sources of information. He has ascer

tained the authorship of many hymns, hitherto of undetermined origin, and has assigned to the veritable writers compositions heretofore ascribed to others.

These researches, may, in the estimation of some, be but of small value. By every true lover of our

national hymn literature, the Editor feels other sentiments will be entertained. What reader of Holy Scripture is content to know that certain passages which especially edify him, are contained somewhere in the inspired volume? Does he not rejoice to associate those precious texts with the particular writer,-whether prophet, or evangelist, or apostle, as well as with his circumstances at the period when his inspired utterances were given forth? In like manner does the Christian believer seek to possess every fragment of Divine truth; he could not bear an abridgment of the sacred word. Modern hymn-writers, though not inspired like the sweet singer of Israel, have generally been persons of enlarged Christian views. To their lyres they have sung of Christ, as they personally experienced Him. No curtailed or interpolated expression of such deep and genuine feeling can be acceptable to those who appreciate the tones of the Gospel harp. Surely it is well that in one work, at least, the unabridged compositions of the British hymn-writers should find a resting-place.

From many unpublished hymns offered for his acceptance, the Editor has selected those which he conceived worthy of a place in a national collection. Disappointment may be experienced by some readers, at not finding in these pages lyrics which they have long remem

bered with interest. Yet it may be found, on a careful examination, that no truly classical British hymn has been omitted.

Consequent on the operations of editors, the opening stanzas of many of the best hymns have been struck off, so that the original compositions are not recognisable by ordinary readers. Thus Bakewell's beautiful hymn, beginning

"Hail! Thou once despised Jesus,"

is, in many compilations, commenced with the second

stanza

"Paschal Lamb, by God appointed."

And Keble's Evening Hymn has been so frequently begun with

"Sun of my soul! Thou Saviour dear !"

the opening line of the third verse, that the two preceding verses have ceased to be familiar.

The Editor has introduced a few American hymn-writers, on account of their particular compositions having been so extensively used in this country, and consequently so much identified with the national lyre. Translations, or versions of ancient and foreign hymns, have generally been excluded, as not falling within the scope of the publication. In the Appendix are presented the me