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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... means of Christian education, the teaching of Bible stories and doctrine, than did psalms. When no coordination whatsoever with biblical texts was required, the writer gained considerable freedom. Other Models & Precedents We maintained ...
... means to a devotional end was, however, distinct from traditional understanding. Virtuous poetry elevated thoughts and inspired piety. Dramatic literature was particularly effective, and Watts delighted in the pious effects of French ...
... means of the supervised refinement of human feeling into devotional response, with the help of the Blessed Spirit. The focus of the hymn is, ultimately, the individual singer and his or her spiritual progress. Humane understanding ...
... means of the manipulated reactions to affecting scenes. The supposition behind this method was that the individual was intrinsically capable of virtue or piety. He or she had the resources, which only needed focus and cultivation. This ...
... means to a didactic end is illustrated by Watts's hymn describing God the Thunderer: a His Nostrils breathe out fiery Streams, And from his awful Tongue A Sovereign Voice divides the Flames, And Thunder roars along. [LXII, 3] an The ...
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 |