Additional Hymns. On these it is only necessary to remark that some are inserted in deference to the popular taste, as evinced by the fact that they appear in all the best modern Hymn-books; others from a regard to the influence of custom and old associations; and some because they were composed or fell under my notice or fuller consideration after the pages preceding them had been printed. A few Hymns that might otherwise have been introduced have been left out because they expressed sentiments exactly similar to those of several others equally good or superior; and because it appeared to me that the space they would occupy might be better employed in somewhat extending the field of thought which has hitherto been traversed in our Hymnals. Commonly, the Hymns to which preference has been given have been freer than those omitted from indifferent rhymes, from verses or lines open to exception on other grounds, and from that lack of natural sequence, connection, and unity of thought which is the prevailing fault in compositions of this order. It may not be useless to add that no Hymns will be found here which are inconsistent with heartfelt thankfulness to God for "creation and preservation," or which it is impossible for any congregation of worshippers to use thoughtfully and sincerely. Not one, for example, is admitted which implies that he who utters it is longing to depart at once from life. Even were this a state to be aimed at, and preferable to that of the Christian, who desires upon this, as upon everything else, to have no will but his Heavenly Father's, it is certainly a state. not often attained except upon a sick or dying bed. Next, no Hymns are here which are incompatible with unfeigned gratitude for "all the blessings of this life." It is, I apprehend, better for the heart and more acceptable to God to cultivate the habit which expresses itself thus, "Ten thousand thousand precious gifts My daily thanks employ; Nor is the least a cheerful heart That tastes those gifts with joy," than to foster a very different spirit by singing some Hymns that might be adduced regarding the evils of our present condition. Perhaps it is too much forgotten how it is written for our instruction, "Because thou servedst not the Lord thy God with joyfulness and with gladness of heart, for the abundance of all things, therefore, thou shalt serve thine enemies which the Lord shall send against thee, in hunger, and in thirst, and in nakedness, and in want of all things." Further, all Hymns, it is hoped, are excluded which are distinguished by pretty conceits or turns of expression that either offend a pure taste or are found to have no meaning, or a false one, when subjected to strict inspection. My best thanks are due, and are now presented, to the few living Authors whose works have contributed to these pages. If in any instance I have unintentionally inserted a Hymn which its writer would have preferred that I should omit, or have unconsciously infringed on copyright, I venture to hope that the mistake will be kindly excused. Of some Hymns in this collection the authorship is quite unknown to me; and of one or two it was not discovered till nearly the whole of the volume was printed. Constructed in the utmost comprehensiveness of spirit, and as the result of much thought and pains, at intervals, for many years, this Hymnal is now submitted to the judgment of the Chris |