THE SERVICE OF PRAISE; OR, HYMNS AND TUNES AND SCRIPTURE LESSONS. ARRANGED FOR PRAISE MEETINGS AND PUBLIC WORSHIP, BY REV. WM. T. EUSTIS, SPRINGFIELD, MASS. 3844 NEW YORK: SCRIBNER, ARMSTRONG & CO. 1875. Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1875, BY SCRIBNER, ARMSTRONG & CO., JOHN F. TROW & SON, PRINTERS AND BOOKBINDERS 205-213 East 12th St., NEW YORK. Electrotyped by SMITH & MCDOUGAL, 82 Beekman Street, New York. PREFACE. A NEW hymn-book has no claim upon public attention, unless answering a public demand. The Service of Praise was prepared to meet a call loud and general in the churches of Christ for a fuller and freer participation in public worship by the congregation. This call has already introduced the responsive reading of Scripture, and has also inaugurated the vesper service and the praise meeting, whose tendency, however, is to degenerate either into a sacred concert or a singingschool. This book, designed to avoid such a tendency while answering the demand, contains fifty-six arrangements of special services on as many themes relating to Christian life and experience, and to the fundamental truths of the gospel. Their easiest explanation is by taking a single service for an illustration, as that numbered the XV and named "The Adoration of Christ." Observe the unity and progress of thought in the Hymns and the Scripture Lesson, which would be increased by the remarks of the Pastor in introducing the hymns, and in the brief address, while the minister, choir, and congregation participate audibly in the worship. The arrangement is easily modified by the omission of verses or of entire hymns, and, if deemed best, by making all the singing congregational. It can also be elaborated with the use of appropriate chants and with the introduction of more difficult music by the choir in their parts. Such a service is eminently catholic and evangelical, and is suited to the varying conditions both of the Christian church and of the individual believer. The music, except in special metres, is congregational, and the distinction of the choir is inserted to afford relief and variety, resembling the response between the singers in the Hebrew worship; as when, in the service already mentioned, the choir sing that hymn commencing, "Let us awake our joys," and the congregation follow with that reply, “Hark! ten thousand harps and voices." The hymns have not been adapted to the tunes, but that tune has been selected for each hymn which was deemed most appropriate by the melody and by sacred association to kindle the spirit of praise in young men and maidens, old men and children. This adaptation has been made by gentlemen of thorough musical training and experience, who were aided with the suggestions of those distinguished in conducting the praises of the sanctuary, and also of cultivated and devout women. |