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. |
From inside the book
Results 1-5 of 27
... Prayer, the Canon of the Mass. In its own way, it is perfect, unapproachable, elemental in its perfection. You cannot alter it except to mar it; it is a work of supreme devotional art by a religious genius. You may compare it with ...
... and educator, whose prose and piety won him the admiration of Dr. Johnson. He wrote treatises on the religious discipline of the passions, the practice of prayer, and the right use of logic. He wrote as well some 200 hymns,
... prayer, Lorde, and let, my crye come unto thee: In tyme of troble doo not hide, thy face away from me. When I pour out my Soul in Pray'r, Do thou, O Lord, attend: To thy Eternal Throne of Grace Let my sad Cry ascend. Inclyne thyne eares ...
... Prayer, Accept my Meditation: On thee I cast my Care With Child-like Adoration. While Days and Ages pass, and endless periods roll, An everlasting Blaze shall sparkle from that Hole. Lovely Side-hole, dearest Side-hole, Sweetest Side ...
You have reached your viewing limit for this book.
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 |