Imagens da página
PDF
ePub
[ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small]

I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding alse.

[merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small]

Myo 491.150

HARVARD COLLEGE

June 28, 1938
LIBRARY

From the library of
Mrs. Coolidge S. Roberta

DISTRICT OF MASSACHUSETTS, TO WIT:

District Clerk's office.

L. S. BE it remembered, that on the fourteenth day of April, A.D.1821, in the Forty-fifth year of the Independence of the United States of Amer ica, Munroe & Francis, of the said District, have deposited in this office the title of a Book, the right whereof they claim as Proprietors, in the words following, to wit:

"The Universalists' Hymn-Book: a new collection of Psalms and Hymns, for the use of the Universalist Societies. By Hosea Ballou, and Edward Turner. I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.'-St. Paul."

In conformity to the Act of the Congress of the United States, entitled, "An Act for the encouragement of Learning, by securing the copies of Maps, Charts, and Books, to the Authors and Proprietors of such copies, during the times therein mentioned :" and also to an Act entitled, "An Act supplementary to an Act, entitled, An Act for the encouragement of learning, by securing the copies of Maps, Charts, and Books, to the Authors and Proprietors of such copies during the times therein mentioned; and extending the benefits thereof to the arts of Designing, Engraving, and Etching Historical, and other Prints."

JOHN W. DAVIS, Clerk of the District of Massachusetts.

[merged small][ocr errors][merged small]
[blocks in formation]

THE compilers of the following Hymns consider it proper to introduce this result of their labours, to their brethren and the public generally, with a few brief observations, explanatory of their objects and of the motives that induced them to undertake the present work. To "sing and make melody with the heart" and with the voice "to the Lord," is acknowledged to be a "reasonable service," as it certainly is a most pleasurable Christian exercise. In this exer

66

cise the heart and the voice should be in unison. The spirit of devotion should be attended with a clear apprehension of the consistency and truth of the matter of the song; otherwise the worshipper cannot sing with the spirit and with the understanding also." It is likewise highly proper and important, that the songs that are sung in a Christian assembly, should correspond with the doctrine preached for their edification; or, if this cannot be accomplished in all cases to minute exactness, it is still highly improper to present a direct opposition, between the hymns which are sung, and the discourse delivered in the same service.

The Hymn-Books hitherto used in many of our Societies possess many excellencies, and contain considerable matter, of a character truly evangelical. Such in particular, is the Boston Collection. Yet this work, with some others, which have been in use, appears to the compilers to be exceptionable, and that in cases of high

ly doctrinal importance. The sentiments, that the Deity required an expiring victim, by way of satisfaction to his justice; that the death of Christ operated to cancel the debt which the sinner owed; and that God died upon the cross and rose from the dead; these, though undoubtedly believed with sincerity by those who composed the hymns in which they are found, are considered as unsupported by revelation, and unapproved by reason; and they are not GENERALLY believed in our societies. While selections have been cheerfully made from the works containing such sentiments, of hymns which appeared to possess claims to the devotional attention of Christians, those of the above description have been carefully omitted.

A large number of the hymns now used in the Universalist Societies in Boston, have been retained. Selections have been made from the Philadelphia hymn book, Watts's, Belknap's and Emerson's collections, and the hymns published some years since, at the request, and by the direction of the General Convention of Universalists. With these selections a small number of original hymns have been incorporated.

While existing societies, believing in the "common salvation," are increasing in the number of their members, and new communities of the same faith are forming in various sections of the country, and possessing the privilege of Divine worship, a hope is entertained, that this compilation will contribute to aid, strengthen and animate the spirit of pure devotion. With this hope, the compilers commend the succeeding pages to the blessing of heaven, and to the patronage of their breth

ren.

UNIVERSALIST HYMNS.

HYMN 1.

L. M.

Praise for Providence. Mat. v. 45. Acts xiv. 17. Psalm cxlv.16.

THY ways, O Lord, with wise design,

Are fram'd upon thy throne above,

And ev'ry dark or bending line
Meets in the centre of thy love.

2 With feeble light, and half obscure,
Poor mortals thine arrangements view,
Not knowing that the least are sure,
And the mysterious just and true.

3 Thy flock, thine own peculiar care,
Though now they seem to roam uney'd,
Are led or driven only where

They best and safest may abide.

4 They neither know, nor trace the way;
But, trusting to thy piercing Eye,
None of their feet to ruin stray,
Nor shall the weakest fail or die.

My favour'd soul shall meekly learn
To lay her reason at thy throne;
Too weak thy secrets to discern,
I'll trust thee for my guide alone.

RIPPON'S Coll.

12

« AnteriorContinuar »