The Congregational Hymnary, C.U.E.W., 1916: Preface (omitting copyright acknowledgements), transcribed from a copy in possession.
[ Extracts from Minutes and Reports relating to the production of the book are reproduced below. Click here to view. ]
The Congregational Church Hymnal, edited at the request of the Congregational Union by the Rev. Dr. G.S.Barrett, was published in 1887, and has been widely used by Congregational Churches both in this country and abroad. It is not possible to form any adequate estimate of the great influence of the book. Suffice it to say that not only Congregationalism, but the whole Christian Church, has been placed under a deep debt of gratitude to the book and to its editor.
Indications are not wanting, however, that each generation requires - or, at least, demands - its own hymn book; and, in deference to a widely- expressed desire, the Council of the Congregational Union decided to undertake the compilation of a new book "based upon the aforesaid Hymnal," and appointed a Committee to carry the decision into effect. Dr. Barrett found himself unable to accept the Council's invitation to serve on that Committee, which was finally constituted as follows: the Rev. T.G.Crippen, the Rev. T.H.Darlow, the Rev. Dr. P.T.Forsyth, the Rev. A.R.Henderson, the Rev. H.Elvet Lewis, the Rev. E.P.Powell, the Rev. Bernard J.Snell, the Rev. J.G.Stevenson, the Rev. R.J.Wells, Dr. H.Coward, Mr Harry Evans, with Mr Josiah Booth as musical adviser, and Sir J.D.McClure as chairman. To the great regret of all who knew him, Mr Harry Evans died before the work was completed.
At the outset of their task the Committee consulted forty or fifty representative Congregationalists with regard to the hymns in the Congregational Church Hymnal, and requested them to state concerning each hymn whether in their judgment it should be retained or omitted. The replies sent in were carefully considered by the Committee, and have been of great assistance. The Committee desire also to offer their hearty thanks to numerous other correspondents, and especially to Mr. J.T.Masser, of Nottingham, for his unsparing toil and pains on their behalf.
In making their selection of hymns, the Committee have been governed by the two guiding principles of continuity and catholicity. Nearly two-thirds of the hymns in this new book were contained in the Congregational Church Hymnal. The selection, moreover, does not express any merely individual taste; nor does it reflect one type of devotion or one school of theology. The Committee have steadily kept in mind that they were acting in a representative capacity - not to select an anthology according to their own preference, so much as to compile a book which should prove both a treasury of worship and a manual of devotion, for a Communion embracing many shades of Christian piety and belief.
As far as possible, hymns have been printed according to the original texts; where alterations have been made, the fact has invariably been indicated.
The new book includes amongst its special features a large number of hymns of Christian service, missionary hymns, hymns with choruses suitable for men's meetings, children's hymns and Christmas carols. Cross references are added at the end of nearly every section and sub-section, whereby it is hoped the usefulness of the book may be greatly increased. Though the Hymnary is divided into three parts - Hymns, Chants, and Anthems - the numbering has been made consecutive throughout. Some few hymns and tunes which the Committee desired to include in the collection have been regretfully omitted, as it has proved impossible to secure permission to print them from the owners of the copyrights.
The Committee are much indebted to Mr. C.F.Garrood, the Trade Manager of the Congregational Union, who has not only assisted in the heavy secretarial and clerical work involved in preparing the new Hymnary, but has also given great care and much time to the details of publication, and has shared in the laborious task of passing the proofs for press.
The Committee present the result of their labours - labours extending over a period of more than six years - with the hope and prayer that the book may be found a valuable help to the public worship and to the spiritual life of the Churches, for whose sake and in whose interest it has been compiled.
[ A list of copyright acknowledgements followed, including (among other details) an indication of the copyrights in respect of which a fee had been paid. ]
End of Preface. Return to Top . . .
Extracts from Minutes of and Reports to the Assembly concerning the production of the 1916 Congregational Hymnary
[ CYB = Congregational Year Book : see the following extracts. In each case the Reports and Minutes refer to the previous calendar year. ]
- CYB 1909
- CYB 1910
- CYB 1911
- CYB 1912
- CYB 1913
- CYB 1914
- CYB 1915
- CYB 1916
- CYB 1917
- CYB 1918-20
- See also
- Council Report for 1946-47
- Council Report for 1947-48
CYB 1909 p.10 Assembly Minutes Tue. 12th May 1908
(Council Report for 1907 - 1908)
. . .
LITERATURE. -- Your Council, realising that some change either by way of a new Hymnal or a supplement to the present book is becoming increasingly pressing, decided to invite an expression of opinion from the Churches through the County Unions. The information when received will be invaluable in aiding a decision on a question which so vitally affects the worship of the sanctuary. Returns at present point in the direction of a new book.
A new edition of the Congregational Church Hymnal of smaller size, which promises to meet a popular demand, has been issued during the year.
CYB 1910 p.6 Assembly Minutes Thurs. 13th May 1909
(Council Report for 1908 - 1909)
. . .
The chief features of the work done during the year are seen in the decisions of the Council to prepare and issue a new Hymn Book; . . .
. . .
LITERATURE COMMITTEE. -- Your Council reports that the majority of the county unions having declared in favour of a change of Hymn Book, it has decided on the compilation of a new book,, and the following have consented to form a Hymnal Editorial Committee: Revs. Dr. P.T. Forsyth, T.G. Crippen, A.R. Henderson, M.A., E.P. Powell, M.A., J.G. Stevenson, H. Elvet Lewis, M.A., B.J . Snell, M.A., Drs. J.D. McClure, H. Coward, and Mr Josiah Booth. . . .
CYB 1911 p.12 Assembly Minutes Thurs. 12th May 1910
(Council Report for 1909 - 1910)
. . .
HYMN-BOOK COMMITTEE. -- This committee, under the chairmanship of Mr. J.D. McClure, LL.D., Mus.D., is meeting frequently, and, consistent with efficiency, is pressing forward its work. The existing hymnal has been carefully revised, a few hymns being reserved for further consideration. A large number of hymns and tunes submitted by correspondents have undergone a first revision. While at present unable to definitely forecast the date of completion of the new book the Council would advise delay until the new book be procurable, on the part of churches making a change of hymn-book. Mr Harry Evans, of Liverpool, has been added to the committee.]
CYB 1912 p.13 Assembly Minutes Thurs. 11th May 1911
(Council Report for 1910 - 1911)
. . .
HYMN-BOOK COMMITTEE. -- This Committee is steadily prosecuting its labours; the first draft of the selected hymns is now virtually complete, and is being set up in type. Considerable preliminary progress has also been made with the tunes and chants. Your Council has every reason to hope that the complete book may be ready for publication in 1912.
CYB 1913 p.13 Assembly Minutes Thurs. 9th May 1912
(Council Report for 1911 - 1912)
. . .
HYMNAL COMMITTEE. -- The Committee has held many meetings during the year 1911. Save during what one might term vacation times, they have met once a fortnight. The choice of suitable tunes for the hymns has proved no easy task, and has occupied a great amount of time. The re-pointing of the chants has also been undertaken, and will shortly be completed.
The Committee has been enabled, by the help of the Finance Committee, to secure the services of the Rev. T.G. Crippen as Assistant Secretary, and the help he has already rendered has done much to facilitate the progress of the book. While appointing Mr Josiah Booth Musical Adviser, the Committee, mindful of the often expressed wish of the Council, retains the full power of decision as to all hymns and tunes that may be included in the new book.
Much correspondence yet remains to be done with regard to copyright and other matters, but it is not anticipated that any serious difficulties will arise. Your Committee still hope that the book may be out by the end of the year, or early in 1913.
. . .
FINANCE COMITTEE. -- Your Council has again to report a heavy deficit. This recurring fall of income can only be checked on the publication of the New Hymn Book; until then the sales of the Hymnal are almost at a standstill, although the more general business shows some expansion. . . .
CYB 1914 pp.10 Assembly Minutes Thurs. 8th May 1913
(Council Report for 1912 - 1913)
. . . A paragraph in the Report of the Finance Committee points to the Assembly being asked in the near future to consider some better and more adequate method of financing the Union. . . . No one can feel satisfied that a great denomination such as ours should be solely dependent for its income upon the affiliation fees of the Churches and the chance profits of a Hymn Book and the sales of the Publication Department. . . .
. . .
HYMNAL COMMITTEE. -- The Hymnal Committee has continued its work since the last report was rendered with unabated effort. Indeed, the meetings have been more frequent than before, and the Committee has been working for the most part in two sections, Musical and Editorial, in order to expedite its labours. Individual members have undertaken much laborious work in preparation for these Committees. Suggestions and communications have been sent in from very many quarters, and these have been carefully considered.
The selection of hymns is practically complete, except in so far as it may be frustrated by reason of copyrights. The adaptation of tunes, necessarily a very laborious matter, is now very far advanced, and will soon be approaching completeness.
The selection of Psalms and the revision of the pointing have been proceeding with much care.
A considerable amount of the detailed work is involved in the question of copyrights and in the various arrangements for printing and publication, and in these matters a good deal remains to be carried out.
The Committee has, of course, been somewhat hampered by the absence of its Chairman, Dr. McClure, since the beginning of this year, but the production of the book will be carried through with all the expedition that is possible. The Committee feels that the matter of efficiency is far more important than the hastening of the publication by a few months.
CYB 1915 p.15 Assembly Minutes Thurs. 14th May 1914
(Council Report for 1913 - 1914)
. . .
HYMNAL COMMITTEE. -- This Committee has been meeting every week for some time past, and not infrequently morning and afternoon sessions have been held on the same day. The Hymn Book is complete, and the hymns have been numbered and set up in pages. The Chants are also complete, and the Anthem section nearly so. The Committee confidently anticipate that the book will be on sale before the Summer holidays, unless unexpected obstacles should intervene.
CYB 1916 p.18 (Assembly Thurs. 13th May 1915)
(p.6 Assembly minutes)
Council Report: . . . A brief statement was made by Sir J.D.McClure, M.A., LL.D., D.Mus., with reference to the New Congregational Hymnal in course of preparation.
(p.12) . . . Your Council rejoices that the New Hymn Book, in spite of the later unforeseen delays caused by the war, is on the eve of publication. As the long and arduous labours of the Committee, more arduous than any but the initiated know, draw to a close, your Council would express to the members of this Committee, and more particularly to its Chairman, Sir J.D. McClure, its sense of profound indebtedness and acknowledge in the warmest manner the services the said brethren have rendered, not only to their own Denomination but to all sections of the Christian Church, that ever find in their sacrament of praise a bond of unity that enables them to realize the oneness of the Church of Christ. Our Hymnal Committee has given of its best to offer to our Churches, a hymnary that, worthy of our Denomination, shall also be a real contribution to the beauty and vitality of our worship. As such we shall welcome it, and pray that in its proven value they will find the reward of their earnest and untiring efforts.
Coincident with the issuing of this new hymnal your Council anticipates some relaxation of the financial pressure which has of late become increasingly a source of anxiety, . . .
(p.18) HYMNAL COMMITTEE. -- This Committee has held very few meetings since September, though a great amount of work has been done by the sub-committees and by individuals in preparing the Hymn Book for the press. The outbreak of the war has caused an unexpected delay in the publishing of the book, and other difficulties, which could not well have been foreseen, have also arisen. But at the present time the musical edition is being printed by Messrs. Novello and Company, and more than half the hymns are already in type. Arrangements have recently been made which it is hoped will have the effect of accelerating the printing of this edition. As soon as the musical edition of the hymns is complete, the printing of the words only can at once be undertaken, and will speedily be completed.
(p.44) Autumn Assembly, Thurs. 7th October 1915
. . . Mr A.J. Shepheard briefly reported upon the work of the Council. He announced the new hymnal would be published by next Christmas. . . .
CYB 1917 p.18 (Assembly Thurs. 11th May 1916)
(Council Report for 1915-16)
. . .
HYMNAL COMMITTEE. -- The Hymnal Committee has had no meetings, as a Committee, for the past year or more, but there have been frequent consultations. The work of seeing the book through the press has been assigned to two Sub-Committees. The scarcity of labour, which has been the direct consequence of the war, has seriously hampered the production of the book. At the present time, however, the bulk of the Words Edition is printed, and only awaits the completion of the Music Edition. With the exception of the last few pages of Anthems, this is now complete; and Messrs. Novello, who are printing this edition, assure us that, as far as they are concerned, the book will be ready for the May Meetings.
[ The CUEW Assembly May 1917 was postponed until October on account of the war. The Council Reports for 1916-17 were restricted in scope, and not printed in the 1918 Year Book. ]
[ The CUEW Assembly 1918 was held in May but not in the Autumn. Detailed Council Reports for 1917-18 were not printed in the 1919 Year Book ]
[ The CUEW Assembly 1919: Summary Council Report only (incorporating sub-committee reports) in the 1920 Year Book ]
[ No further references to the production of the 1916 Hymnary, which remained in print for a further 30+ years. ]
CUEW Council Report for 1946-47, page 23
INDEPENDENT PRESS LIMITED
Hymn-Books. -- Owing to difficulties in production and paper shortage, editions have been smaller and fewer, resulting in supply never keeping up with demand. Some improvement in this matter is expected in the coming year. Due to constantly rising costs, prices have had to be advanced considerably. School Worship continues to sell well and help in introducing it to schools of all kinds will be welcomed. Sample copies of the "Words only" edition can be supplied at a nominal figure on application. Your assistance in widening the influence of this really excellent hymn-book for young people will be appreciated.
CUEW Council Report for 1947-48, page 25
INDEPENDENT PRESS LIMITED
Hymn-Books -- The work on the production of the new Hymn-Book to be entitled Congregational Praise has begun in earnest but it is not expected that copies will be available for sale for two years. There is no doubt whatever that this book is going to find a use beyond the confines of our own denomination. In the selection of hymns and tunes it is outstanding and we hope to produce a really first-class book which will serve our churches and many others for some considerable time. Meanwhile, supplies of the Congregational Hymnary will be kept in stock for many years, reprints of the various editions continue to come in at protracted intervals and while some of our friends may have to wait for supplies, they may be certain that the best possible service is being given to them in view of the present uncertainties of supply. School Worship is finding new homes and new churches and there is no doubt that this is the best book of its kind on the market. The price, though higher than some others, guarantees a book which will stand hard wear for years and where churches have not used it before we are prepared to supply 25% of the initial order free of charge on receipt of a signed undertaking to the effect that copies will be used only in the church and not resold. A form will be sent by the manager on application.
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