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
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... Psalm Other Models & Precedents II. Isaac Watts's Divine Delight In Defense of Hymnody Instructive Delight Devotional Response Watts's Achievement III. Charles Wesley: Self, Sense, & the Revival Conversion & Sensibility Feeling & the ...
... restrictive to insist that they are only hymns when they are sung. Hymns were read in private as well To as sung in public and, like the psalms on which The Congregational Hymn: Requirements & Resources The Challenge of Hymnology.
... psalms on which they were modeled, were available for many purposes. The predominant characteristic of hymns, however expressive of conviction or religious passion they may be, may only be described as their impersonality. Religious ...
... the traditional tunes only with the greatest difficulty. Routley describes the new music written in England after the Restoration and the collections of new psalm tunes that appeared at the beginning of the eighteenth century,
... Psalms, the Book of Common 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 ...
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 |