English Congregational Hymns in the Eighteenth CenturyHistorians of the English congregational hymn, focusing on its literary or theological aspects, have usually found the genre out of step with the rationalist era that produced it. This book takes a more balanced approach to the work of four writers and concludes that only eighteenth-century Britain, with its understanding of public verse, common truth, and the utility of poetry, could have invented the English hymn as we know it. The early hymns sought to inspire, teach, stir, and entertain congregations. The essential purpose shifted slightly in line with each poet's setting and in accord with the poetic thought of his day. For Isaac Watts's Independents, powerful traditional imagery was appropriate. Charles Wesley's enthusiasm proceeded from and served the spirit of the revival. John Newton's prophetic vision particularly suited the impoverished community at Olney. William Cowper's masterful handling of formal conventions and his idiosyncratic personal hymns reflect his poetic, rather than clerical, vocation. Despite such temporal variations, the great poetry by each man displays themes of general Christian relevance, suggesting common experience, showing normative features of the genre, and bearing a complex and intriguing relationship to secular literature. |
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... Jesus: Appear before me evermore In this red mangled Hue! And follow me where'er I turn, Still closely me pursue. Embrace me fast within Thy Arms, Thou Bridegroom of my Soul, And let thy Blood besprinkle me From ev'ry pierced Hole.21 ...
... Jesus sheds the brightest Beams Of his O'er-flowing Grace! 2 Sweet Majesty and awful Love Sit smiling on his Brow, And all the glorious Ranks above At humble Distance bow. 3 Princes to his Imperial Name Bend their bright Scepters down ...
... Jesus, and then as 5 and 6 detail, at close range, the wounds of Jesus and our feeling response to their softness and dearness. The descriptive achievement is such that by the sixth stanza the singers claim to “See” the vision together ...
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Contents
Self Sense the Revival | |
John Newton Olney Prophet | |
Exemplary Tradition the Loss of Control | |
Conclusion | |
Notes | |
Other editions - View all
English Congregational Hymns in the Eighteenth Century Madeleine Forell Marshall,Janet Todd Limited preview - 1982 |
English Congregational Hymns in the Eighteenth Century Madeleine Forrell Marshall,Janet M. Todd No preview available - 2014 |