Speaking to yourselves, in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. 0112.1843 NEW YORK:' PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY J. & J. HARPF .....BRARY 453818A ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS R 1929 L [Entered according to the Act of Congress, in the year 1833, in the Office of the Clerk of the Southern District of New York.] PREFACE. SACRED Music has ever been considered an essential part of the exercises of the sanctuary. It is truly a delightful privilege, as well as a duty, to which we are frequently exhorted in the holy scriptures, to celebrate the high praises of God, and to lift up our hearts with our voices "in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation." In the performance of this sacred duty, it is highly important that a strict regard be had to the sentiments contained in the language we employ. However great may be the poetical merits of the hymn, if it be found to contain expressions at variance with, or doctrines not explicitly and clearly taught in the word of God, it should be rejected. Acting upon this principle, the compilers of this work have endeavoured to select such hymns only, as are in strict conformity with the language of scripture, and they confidently believe they have introduced none which may not be used by any body of Christians without offence to their peculiar views in matters of doctrine. N In making their selections, the compilers have had recourse to a great variety of collections of devotional poetry, and have examined, perhaps, most of the best publications which have appeared since the time of the pious and excellent Dr. Watts. A great proportion of the hymns, however, it will be seen, are taken from the compositions of Watts, Wesley, A Doddridge, Cowper, Newton, Steele, Beddome and Montgomery, who are deservedly regarded as standard authors in sacred poetry. L This selection will be found to embrace compositions upon all the prominent |