PREFACE.

This compilation is defective in quantity, quality, adaptation and execution. But it is the best I could prepare under the circumstances. A few years hence it will probably be revised, enlarged, and in various respects improved. I needed more critical ability, leisure and money, in order to bring the work out in a style accordant with my ideal. But considering how necessary something of the kind had become to the friends of Practical Christianity, and how long they must, in all likelihood, wait for a better Hymn Book, I did not feel at liberty to delay its preparation. It has its merits, whatever its defects, and will be useful in its place.

I found it so difficult to trace out the,authorship of many hymns, that a considerable number are left uncredited. It has been equally difficult to give the pure original text of those which are credited. Many variations and supposed improvements have crept into hyinns of the best authors. The original is nearly always deteriorated by these

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alterations. And yet, in a very few instances, I, myself, have taken this objectionable liberty, in order to secure a closer adaptation of expression to particular cases. In abbreviating, by the omission of stanzas, I have taken still greater liberties without compunction. The hymns of this Collection, with a few exceptions, are comparatively short. Such are generally more acceptable in the present day, both to singers and listeners. But it is unnecessary to multiply words. All who partake in the spirit of Practical Christian reform and progress will gladly accept this humble production, with a generous allowance for its imperfections, until time and circumstances shall bring forth another of higher excellence.

MILFORD, (HOPEDALE,) MS., JUNE, 1849.

A. B.

ERRAT A.

Several errors have escaped detection, notwithstanding much care in proof-reading. Most of them, however, will readily suggest their own correction. But there is one in the 244th Hymn, 3d Stanza, last Line, which greatly mars the sense. The line erroneously reads, "Be free and warm as summer weather." It should read, "Be free as warmth of summer weather."