omitted, is also herewith furnished, and will likewise be added to the smaller editions. It is hoped that this will not only facilitate the singing of these hymns, but also tend to improve our church music, by the introduction of a number of well known and standard German tunes, with which a large body of our members are already familiar in the German. PREFACE. SINGING the praises of God is justly regarded as one of the most delightful and profitable parts of worship, both public and private. It was introduced by divine command into the worship of the Old Testament; the blessed Savior himself recommended it by his practice; and it is enjoined by the apostle Paul on Christians in general. Its separate utility, in addition to that of prayer and hearing the word of God, is based upon the very nature of the human mind, as it calls into action additional powers of the soul. Yet as the materials for the exercise of this Christian duty in any other than the Hebrew language, whether translations of the Psalms or original effusions on the doctrines and facts of the Scriptures, are necessarily the products of uninspired pens; they are characterized by different degrees of merit, both in respect to poetic excellence and devotional tendency. In no other language, it is thought, is there . extant so copious and excellent a collection of Psalms and Hymns and Spiritual Songs, as that of the Lutheran Church in Germany. And from this copious source our German churches in this country have drawn ample supplies. Yet the prevalence of the English language has, in some places, long since led to its introduction into the services of our sanctuaries, as well as to the publication of several collections of hymns in the same tongue. Among these, that made by the learned and pious Dr. Kuntze, then Senior of the New York Ministerium, and published in 1795, is excellent in its devotional tendency, but lamentably deficient in poetic beauty and purity of diction. The collection, subsequently made by a Committee of the New York Synod, appointed in 1812, not only merits. a decided preference, but is indeed a most excellent work. Yet long experience has evinced that this selection does not afford a sufficient variety for all the purposes of ministerial duty and Christian practice, and many of the choicest and most devotional productions of the English muse are not contained in it. Under these circumstances, the General Synod deemed it their duty, in accordance with their Constitution, and in obedience to the numerous calls made on them, to provide a hymn-book possessing alike sufficient amplitude, classical excellence, and devotional spirit, to serve as a permanent book for the churches of their connection, and for all others who may be disposed to use it. For this purpose the undersigned were appointed a committee in 1825, and have for several years devoted their most particular and prayerful attention to the important duty assigned them. They have found the work arduous far béyond their early expectations; but their conviction of its importance and necessity has continually increased. Their aim has been to combine in the highest possible degree practical excellence with the charms and graces of poetry. They have procured all the most excellent and valuable hymn-books used. by sister churches, and have also examined very many hymns dispersed through the works of individual authors. They feel assured that the selection made will contain the major part of the best hymns extant in the English language. They have also, after mature consideration, constructed a new ar rangement, which they deem decidedly more practical than any other which they have seen, and calculated to be more useful both to ministers and laymen. A view of the general subjects, sufficiently minute for reference, is prefixed to the book. A portable size was adopted, not only for the sake of cheapness and convenience in public and domestic worship, but also that Christians who strive to walk with God, and delight to sing the songs of Zion, may carry this volume with them on their journeys, and in their social walks, and into the field of labor, and, as opportunity may offer, kindle anew the flame of their devotion at the fire of the sacred muse. In conclusion, we would commend this work to the serious use of the disciples of our Lord in general, and our churches in particular; and more especially to the favor and blessing of that divine Redeemer, whose dying love will be the theme of our more perfect praises in the realms of celestial bliss. S. S. SCHMUCKER, Professor of Theology in Theological Seminary of the C. P. KRAUTH, Pastor of the Second English Lutheran Church, Philadelphia. G. SHOBER, Pastor of the Lutheran Church, Salem, North Carolina. J. G. SCHMUCKER, D. D., Pastor of the Lutheran Church, York, Pennsylvania. B. KELLER, Pastor of the Lutheran Church, Germantown, Pennsylvania. Gettysburg, PA., May 16, 1828. PREFACE TO THE NEW EDITION. VARIOUS changes in this Hymn book having been called for, a committee was, at the meeting of the General Synod in 1845, appointed to examine what was desirable in this respect, and directed to report to the Synod at its next meeting in the city of New York in 1848. The committee having done so, their report was accepted, and their number having been increased by the addition of one member from each Synod not already represented in that committee, they were directed to make the alterations and improvements indicated as necessary, and to have the book stereotyped and published. The committee, consisting of fifteen, being too unwieldy and too widely separated for frequent consultation, having had a meeting during the session of the General Synod, and agreed upon a mode of action for the decision of one or two points, committed the details of the work to a sub-committee of three who resided in the same place, (Gettysburg, Pa.,) and could therefore perform the task assigned them with the greatest deliberation. The results of their labors are herewith presented to the church. It is needless to specify in detail the changes that they have made, but they may state in general that, in accordance with the report and resolutions under which they were appointed, they carefully revised the text of the whole work, making such verbal changes as seemed necessary or desirable, removed some fifty of the most objectionable hymns from the body of the book as originally prepared, threw out all duplicates, substituted improved editions of viii |