23492.1.6

HARVARD

COLLEGE

MAR 30 1896

LIBDARY

Joh. P. that'

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1853, by

S. K. WHIPPLE AND COMPANY,

in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the District of Massachusetts.

PREFACE

TO THE SECOND EDITION.

So far as is known to the compiler, this volume, in its previous edition, was the first of the kind published in this country. Within a few years past, several collections similar in their general character have appeared in England. German literature, too, is any thing but deficient in this department. A specimen may be found in Knapp's Liederschatz, B. II., where it will be seen, that hymns 3057-3081 are expressly for the sick. There have also been, for many years, distinct collections in that language: Lavater's Lieder für Leidende, "Hymns for Sufferers," 1787, 8vo. Auswahl der besten Trostgesänge für Leidende, von J. S. Fest, "Selections of the

Best Consolatory Songs for Sufferers," Leipsic, 1789, 8vo.

That such collections are desirable would seem quite obvious. The sick and suffering are generally unable to listen or to read, with attention, for any length of time continuously. An adap

tation, therefore, to their case will be found in the brevity of these lyrical productions. There is also a special adaptation to their case in suitable poetry, which, by its condensed and harmonious form of expression, arrests and tranquillizes the mind beyond any other mode of human address.

Most of the pieces in the following collection, it is presumed, are not familiarly known in this country. A few, however, have been inserted because of their familiarity, their acknowledged excellence, and particular adaptation to the design of this volume.

It will probably be found, that, so far as suited to lyrical purposes, the more usual and more important circumstances and spiritual necessities of the sick-room have been specifically remembered in this collection. A passage of Scripture,

entire or in part, is prefixed to each hymn, that the best of all comforters and instructors may be kept constantly in mind. The hope is entertained, that, where wearisome days and nights are appointed, this volume will, in numberless instances, answer the question, "Is there no balm in Gilead? is there no Physician there?"