that I must, at least, have omitted some hymns which many persons have been accustomed to regard as indispensable, and introduced some which may be thought unworthy of the place which they occupy. It is to be presumed that there is a considerable number of them which will be admired by some, and disliked by others. Among five hundred and sixty hymns, there will be found, it is probable, sufficient range for a variety of tastes. It is sincerely my prayer that this book, wherever it may be introduced, may be instrumental in heightening the interest of Christian worship, and serving the cause of religion and God;-and. as sincerely is it my wish that wherever and whenever it may be found inadequate to these great purposes, it may be superseded by one which will answer them better. F. W. P. G. October 1, 1830. NOTE TO THE SIXTEENTH EDITION. THE suggestions of some of my friends, together with my own experience, have induced me to believe that some additions to this Collection would increase its usefulness; and I feel that the favor with which it has been received, is an obligation on me to improve it. But at the same time that I determined to make additions, I also resolved not to hazard such alterations in the main body of the work, as would render the first fifteen editions so different from those which might succeed them, that the former could not be used conveniently with the latter. I have therefore changed but eleven hymns in the five hundred and sixty which were contained in the previous editions; and in the place of each rejected hymn, I have inserted one of the same or a similar subject. For the convenience of ministers and others, I here subjoin a list of the hymns which have been changed as above stated. They are hymns 69.142, 155, 126, 177-265, 315, 340, 399, 402, 519. Hymn 204, which formerly consisted of two verses from one of the hymns of Watts, is now enlarged by the addition of two other verses of the original hymn. The additions which I have made, are placed under the head of Supplementary Hymns, and are numbered from 561 to 609, inclusive. Some of these were printed at the end of the book, as it formerly stood; but the greater part are now first inserted. They are on various subjects, and several of them are of a private and domestic character. The Doxologies close the volume. No further alterations are contemplated. FRANCIS W. P. GREENWOOD. May 18, 1835. PREFACE TO THE SUPPLEMENT. In the following Collection of Hymns, the Rev. Mr. GREENWOOD's admirable compilation has, by permission, been retained in its original form, and to this an addition of one hundred and seventeen hymns has been made.* We believe that no one can become familiar with Mr. Greenwood's collection without being impressed by its uncommon excellence. It includes throughout hymns of unsurpassed beauty and devotional power, whose acknowledged superiority must ever give them a high place in every collection for sacred worship. Among the most excellent productions of this kind in the English language, are those by Watts and Doddridge; and more than two hundred of their best hymns may be found in this volume. Besides these, it includes the finest lyric pieces which have come down to us from Addison, Newton, Cowper, Pope, Heber, Milman and Scott, and the choicest by Earbauld and Steel, Bowring and Montgomery, as well as the most fervent from among the Wesleyan and Moravian collections. In addition to its intrinsic worth, Mr. Greenwood's collection has another advantage, inasmuch as it is now used in about fifty of our Religious Societies, more than forty thousand copies being in circulation. It has thus, with many minds, become connected The Hymns added commence at the 610th. Excepting the addition, the condensation of the prefatory pages, Index, &c., and transposing the Doxologies to the end of the book, the enlarged edition is the same as all others since the 16th, and can be used with those editions. No alteration in numbering the hymns has been made. with pleasant associations, and is already familiar to a large body of Christians. It is also no slight consideration that it is directly associated with the memory of one who was among the truest and most devout of the followers of Christ; one who united a singular purity of taste with a most earnest spirit of devotion; and who was, in every way, peculiarly qualified to select a volume of sacred poetry, which should give fit expression to the soul's varied emotions, and which should promote the highest interests of Christianity. All, therefore, that we have considered desirable, was to add to Mr. Greenwood's collection, such hymns as might give it a more extended usefulness, and adapt it to a wider circle of wants. Many hymns are here added which had not been written when Mr. Greenwood's volume was published; among these are several by Rev. Henry Ware, Jr., whose memory it will ever be interesting to associate with our hyinns of praise, and our places of worship. Besides which there will be found additional hymns by Cowper and Watts, Doddridge and Wesley, Montgomery and Bowring. It is hoped that they may prove a useful accompaniment to the valuable collection with which they are here connected. R. C. W. BOSTON, October, 1845. INDEX OF FIRST LINES. A. ACCORDING to thy gracious word And art thou with us, gracious Lord. · As the sun's enlivening eye. As the sweet flower that scents the morn Attend, ye children of your God A voice from the desert comes awful and shrill Awake, my drowsy soul, awake B. BEFORE Jehovah's awful throne Behold the man, how glorious he Blest are the souls that hear and know Blest be the everlasting God Blest is the man who fears the Lord. |