FOR THE LORD'S HOUSE: EDITED BY C. D'W. BRIDGMAN. "Ye that stand in the House of the Lord, in the courts of the House NEW YORK: A. C. ARMSTRONG & SON, No. 714 BROADWAY. 1880. PREFACE. IN N the compilation of "SONGS FOR THE LORD'S HOUSE," the Editor has endeavored to provide a book for the use of Baptist Churches which should include only that which is best in Christian psalmody, and yet be comprehensive enough to meet all the needs of Public and Social Worship. The aim has been to afford the spirit of prayer and praise the noblest forms of expression. The Hymns, therefore, are catholic as well as Christian, devotional rather than didactic; and if many have been omitted which appear in most of the popular collections, the reason will be found either in the Hymns themselves, or in the purpose to provide only for such services as are associated with the Lord's House. The Music has been the care, chiefly, of Mr. HENRY CAMP, the choir-leader of Plymouth Church, Brooklyn, and will be found to be in harmony with the sentiment of the Hymns it is set to interpret. The best of the old, standard tunes have their proper place in the book; and though many new ones are given, they are simple in structure, and such as seem destined to be permanently popular. The Chants are not difficult, and are provided not only for choirs, but in the hope that congregations will come to consider this form of praise an essential part of their musical service. To the Rev. L. D. BEVAN, D.D., and to the Rev. RAY PALMER, D.D., the Editor is indebted for their great kindness in placing their Hymns at his disposal, and to the Rev. RICHARD G. GREENE, for the Doxologies he provided. Acknowledgment must also be made of the service of Mr. HOMER N. BARTLETT, organist of the Madison Avenue Baptist Church, in the revision of the musical part of the work, and the contributions he has made to it; of the great help afforded by Mr. JOHN B. MARSH, organist of Emmanuel Church, Albany; and of the generous readiness of Mr. Walter B. GILBERT, Mus. B., of Trinity Chapel, in consenting to the use of many of his compositions. The book is the best expression the Editor is able to give of his desire to elevate the tone of Sabbath and Social Worship; and it now is commended to the blessing of God, in the hope that it may be for the comfort and help of those who sing praise to His Name in the courts of the Lord's House. |