The Enchiridion

Congregational Praise, 1951

Congregational Praise, Congregational Union of England & Wales, 1951: transcription of the editorial Preface, from a copy in possession.

[ Extracts from Minutes and Reports relating to the production of the book are reproduced below. Click here to view. ]

PREFACE

_______

The Congregational Hymnary was published in 1916. In the Preface it was stated that "each generation requires - or, at least, demands - its own hymn-book." In May 1939, the Assembly of the Congregational Union decided that a new hymn-book was required by the churches. Not only were the needs of a new generation to be considered, but during recent years there had been a great development in the field of hymnology, fostered by the publication of new collections and by broadcasting. Many hymns had become widly known and many splendid tunes familiar which were not included in the Hymnary.

The task of preparing the new book was entrusted to the following Committee: The Rev. Leslie E.Cooke, the Rev. Dr. A.J.Grieve, Mr Owen Kentish, Dr T.M.MacRobert, Dr. W.G.Moore, the Rev. E.R.Routley, the Rev. Eric Shave, the Rev. J.F.Shepherd, Miss E.H.Spriggs, with the Rev. K.L.Parry as Chairman and the Rev. A.G.Matthews as Editorial Secretary.

Owing to the outbreak of war, the Committee did not meet until October 1944. At its first meeting the Rev. E.R.Routley was appointed Minutes Secretary, and he has, in addition, performed the arduous duty of acting as General Secretary to the Committee.

In the selection of tunes the Committee has been assisted by a Musical Advisory Committee consisting of the following: Mr. Norman Carter, Mr. Owen Kentish, Dr. T.M.MacRobert, the Rev. K.L.Parry, Miss Marjorie Renton, the Rev. E.R.Routley, the Rev. Eric Shave, the Rev. J.F.Shepherd, with Dr. Eric Thiman as Chairman, who freely placed his professional knowledge at their service. The Committee is much indebted to Mr. Bernard Honess, Managing Director of Independent Press Ltd., for his expert advice and assiduous care in the printing and publication of the book.

The Committee has endeavoured throughout its work to keep in touch with denominational opinion. The Editor of The Christian World kindly published a list of hymns in the Congregational Hymnary which it was thought might be omitted from the new book. A large correspondence ensued, as a result of which several of these hymns were retained in response to a widespread demand. A complete index of hymns was also circulated among a number of representative Congregationalists who were invited to suggest additions or omissions. The [Congregational] churches in Australia and South Africa were also consulted by correspondence.

A number of Metrical Psalms have been included. It is hoped that these will not only be welcomed by the Scottish churches but will introduce this beautiful section of hymnody to our English congregations.

The primary purpose of a hymn-book is for use in public worship, and the aim of the Committee has been to include only such hymns as are suitable for such use. There are many meetings in connexion with the Church, such as Women's Meetings, Youth Clubs and Mission Services, where hymns are used. It is hoped that among the great hymns of the Church which are here included suitable hymns for these will be found, but no attempt has been made to provide hymns for all occasions and for every department of Church life. The inclusion of a section containing hymns suitable for private devotion will, it is hoped, meet the needs of those for whom a hymn-book is also a manual of personal religion.

There has been much discussion as to the exact definition of a hymn. This at least may be said, that a hymn is intended for singing, and for singing together. Its subject must therefore be worth singing about, and it should express the common faith of Christendom. Nothing is so worthy of our singing as the glory and majesty of God, His creative power and redeeming grace. The greatest hymns are never far from the sublime scenery of our redemption. The singing of a hymn is an act of corporate worship, and as our fellowship is not only with one another but with the saints above, our reach will often exceed our grasp, but we must avoid the idiosyncracies of personal feeling and experience. The principle of selection cannot be better expressed than in the words of Dr Isaac Watts: "I hope there will be found very few but what may properly be used in a religious assembly, and not one of them but may well be adapted to some seasons either of private devotion or of public worship. The most frequent tempers and changes of our spirit and conditions of our life are here copied, and the breathings of our piety expressed according to the variety of our passions, our love, our fear, our hope, our desire, our sorrow, our wonder, and our joy, as they are refined into devotion, and act under the influence and conduct of the blessed Spirit, all conversing with God the Father by the new and living way of access to the throne, even the person and mediation of our Lord Jesus Christ."

In the spirit of these words the Committee has endeavoured to perform the task entrusted to it, and now presents its work to the glory of God, the approval of the Assembly, and the service of the churches.

In the selection of hymns for children, only those for little children have been included in a separate section. Hymns suitable for older children and young people will be found in the main body of the book under their appropriate subject headings. These hymns are indicated in a special index. 

No marks of expression are attached to the hymns. It is left to the organist and choir to lead the congregation in this respect. When due attention is given to the words, such marks are unnecessary; when it is not, they are apt to be misleading and mechanical.

All hymns are to be sung in harmony except the verses marked for unison. "Unison" against a verse applies to that particular verse only. "Unison" above a tune applies to all the verses of the hymn beneath.

Certain verses are marked with an asterisk. This is only to suggest that if the hymn is thought to be too long these verses may be found the most suitable for omission.

The hymns are arranged, so far as possible, in the chronological order of their authors, within the subject sections.

It is suggested that Amen should be sung only where it is given at the end of a tune. The custom of singing Amen at the close of every hymn seems to have grown up less than a century ago. It is difficult to be consistent in its use, but the principle adopted here is to sing it after a doxology or prayer, or where it is an integral part of the tune.

In the Congregational Hymnary a list of alternative hymns was given at the foot of each section. Such additional hymns will be found in a special index.

A "Companion" to Congregational Praise is being prepared which will contain historical notes on all the hymns and tunes, and further information about many matters.

For the Committee,

K.L.PARRY,

Chairman.

Ascension Day, 1950

End of Preface. Return to Top . . .

Extracts from Minutes of and Reports to the Assembly concerning the production of Congregational Praise

[ CYB = Congregational Year Book : see the following extracts. In each case the Reports and Minutes refer to the previous calendar year. ]  

CYB 1939

(May Assembly 1938)

(October Assembly 1938)

CYB 1940

(Assembly Minutes, May 1939)

(Committee Report, May 1939)

CYB 1941

CYB 1945

(Assembly Minutes, May 1944)

(Committee Report, May 1944)

CYB 1948

(Assembly Minutes, May 1947)

(Committee Report, May 1947)

CYB 1951

(Assembly Minutes, May 1950)

(Committee Report, May 1950)

also

Council Reports 1951-52

Council Reports 1952-53

CYB 1939 p.65 (Minutes, Annual Assembly Mon. 9th May 1938)

Proposed New Hymn Book -- On behalf of the Council, Mr Owen Kentish made a statement stressing the necessity for a new hymn book, and moved the following resolution :

That the work for the preparation of a new Hymn Book be taken in hand at once, and that the matter be entrusted to a committee to be nominated by the General Purposes Committee, who shall report to the Assembly in October.

The resolution was seconded, and eventually it was decided to adjourn the discussion until later in the week.

CYB 1939 p.65 (Minutes, Annual Assembly Wed. 11th May 1938)

Proposed New Hymn Book -- Further consideration was given to the suggested new Hymn Book. The resolution moved by Mr Kentish on Monday evening (see minutes) was withdrawn, and the Assembly passed the following resolution :

That the question of the consideration of a new Hymn Book be referred to the Autumn Assembly at Bradford.

CYB 1939 p.99 (Minutes, Autumn Assembly Tue. 11th Oct. 1938)

Hymn Book -- Mr Owen Kentish, F.I.A., made a statement urging the importance of the preparation of a new Hymn Book, and eventually moved the following resolution:

That the work of the preparation of a new Hymn Book should be proceeded with and entrusted to a committee to be nominated by the General Purposes Committee, the names to be submitted to the Assembly in May 1939.

This was seconded, but the following amendment was moved and seconded :

That the General Purposes Committee be asked to appoint a committee to inquire into the need for a new Hymn Book and to present a report to the Assembly in May 1939.

The amendment was carried by a very small majority, and on being put as a substantive resolution was carried by a very large majority.

CYB 1940 p.65 (Minutes, Annual Assembly Mon. 8th May 1939)

Proposed New Hymn Book -- The Rev. K.L.Parry, B.Sc., moved the adoption of the Report of the Committee appointed to consider the need for a new Hymn Book (see pp. 150-152) [transcribed below]. Mr Owen Kentish seconded it, and the following resolution was passed by a very large majority :

That this Assembly, having received the Report of the Committee appointed to consider the need for a new hymn book, agrees with the recommendation that a new Hymn Book is needed, and authorizes the General Purposes Committee to submit to the Assembly proposals for the method by which the Hymn Book should be prepared.

CYB 1940 pp.150-2 (Report of Committee appointed to consider the need for a new Hymn Book)

The Committee was appointed by the General Purposes Committee in accordance with the following resolution passed by the Assembly in October, 1938 :

"That the General Purposes Committee be asked to appoint a committee to inquire into the need for a new Hymn Book and to present a report to the Assembly in May 1939."

At our first meeting (eight members being present) we had no previous knowledge of each other's views upon this question, but we found that we were unanimous in our conviction that a new Hymn Book is needed, and that the work of preparation should proceed without delay.

The Congregational Hymnary was published in 1916 after seven years of preparation. It is suggested in the Preface that each generation demands its own hymn book. The period between the publication of Mr. Barrett's Hymnal and the preparation of the Hymnary was 22 years. Another 22 years have passed since the Hymnary was published. The period has been marked by a great revival of interest in hymnology and the publication of many hymn books rich in material, both in words and music, not contained in the Hymnary. To mention only a few: Songs of Praise, Hymns of Western Europe, The Church Hymnary (Presbyterian), Hymns of the Kingdom, and the new hymn books of the Baptists and the Methodists. The many united services which are such a happy feature of our church life to-day have made many of these fine hymns familiar to our people, and it is a real impoverishment of our services that we cannot make use of them. Nor must we forget the influence of broadcasting, which has made a wide public familiar with many beautiful hymns and tunes which are not in the Hymnary. The chanting of the Psalms, too, in broadcast services has set a new standard which makes us very dissatisfied with the Chant section of the Hymnary. Our young people, too, in schools and colleges and in various conferences sing hymns which they would like to have in their own churches.

That this recommendation should not rest upon our views alone, we consulted others by correspondence, representing various types of churches.

The correspondence reflected the wide divergence of view which exists in regard to hymns and the tunes to which we sing them. There is much to be said in favour of a smaller number of hymns, maintaining a high standard of merit. But it is clear from this correspondence that any hymn book which is to meet the needs of all our churches must be comprehensive. To be able to discern the good quality of a hymn of a type which may not appeal to him personally, is the rarest but most necessary gift of a good editor.

While several of our correspondents expressed misgivings as to whether this is the right time to prepare a new hymn book, the majority were certainly in favour of a new book, and many said that the need was urgent. Upon one point there was general agreement. Great dissatisfaction was expressed with the section of the Hymnary "For children and young people." There is a clamant need that this should be replaced by a Children's Section more worthy of its name and of its place in Christian worship, and by the inclusion throughout the hymn book of hymns suitable for young people.

In regard to the chants and an thems, too, the criticism of the Hymnary is definite and widespread. The selection of passages for chanting needs revision, and the pointing is unsatisfactory. The anthem section, it is said, should include only good anthems within the competence of an ordinary choir and congregation.

Several correspondents suggested that a book of supplemental hymns might meet our present needs. One of the chief objections to that is the financial cost. The proportion of hymns in a small supplement upon which copyright charges would have to be paid would make it very expensive. But apart from financial considerations we are unanimous in our opinion that a supplement is a cumbrous method of meeting the problem, and that it would not deal with the revision of the pointing of the chants or the provision of more suitable anthems.

Two other suggestions have been considered by the Committee. The first is that a book should be prepared for use in all the Free Churches. We are convinced hat that is quite impracticable now, as several of the denominations have so recently published their own hymn books.

The second suggestion is that we should adopt the book of another denomination, e.g. the Church Hymnary of the Presbyterians. Our own tradition in hymnology, as well as our need of a comon bond in worship, make this undesirable. If our churches were to recommend to adopt the book of another denomination, not all would adopt the same book, and the result would be a variety of practice which would sacrifice our unity in worship.

Perhaps the most serious criticisms of the proposal for a new hymn book come from those who feel that the transitional state of theology make the present an unsuitable time for any such undertaking. But a living theology will always be in transition. To those who are apprehensive as to the varieties of interpretation amongst us, we must point out that one test of a good hymn is how far it transcends our differences and expresses our common faith. It is those who have the pastoral care of the churches who feel most strongly that we are hampered because the rich material in which the Church of to-day is becoming articulate in its worship is not available for use in our churches.

A word should be said upon the question of finance. We are very conscious that many churches are feeling the financial strain. We would point out that the new book would take several years to prepare, and that its adoption would be entirely optional. There would be no difficulty in obtaining copies of the present hymn book for a long time to come. As regards the Union, there is money set aside towards the initial outlay, and the book should ultimately be a source of profit.

When contemplating expenditure of this kind we must not forget that the power of the Church to do anything at home or abroad depends upon the strength of its own inner life, and we are convinced that to enrich our worship is to strengthen the churches. We believe that a new hymn book may be an instrument in God's hands, through our worshipping congregations, which will express and foster for many coming years -- years, it may be, of great testing for the Church of Christ -- their convictions by which they are called to live as His Body.

CYB 1941 p.30 (Minutes, Annual Assembly Wed. 5th June 1940)

Proposed New Hymn Book -- On the recommendation of the Council it was decided to defer consideration of the Report re the Proposed New Hymn Book until a more favourable time, but to encourage individuals to collect material for a new Hymn Book.

CYB 1945 p.31 (Minutes, Annual Assembly Tue. 9th May 1944)

Proposed New Hymn Book -- The Rev. K.L.Parry, B.Sc. presented the report concerning the proposed New Hymn Book. (This report appears on pages 115-117 of the Council Report.) [transcribed below]

The Rev. Erik R. Routley, M.A., gave an address on the Principles which should govern the making of a new Hymn Book.

After some discussion and questions, the report was approved with the addition of the following Committee Members recommended by the Council. For the General Committee the Rev. E.C.L. Shave, M.A., and Miss Elsie Spriggs, for the Musical Committee, Miss Marjorie Renton. Therefore the two Committees are composed as follows:

Hymn Book Committee --

Rev. L.E. Cooke, B.A., B.D.

Dr. A.J. Grieve, M.A., D.D.

Rev. A.G. Matthews, M.A.

Dr. W.G. Moore

Rev. K.L. Parry, B.Sc.

Rev. E.R. Routley, M.A.

Rev. E.C.L. Shave, M.A.

Rev. N. Goodall, M.A.

Rev. J.F. Shepherd, M.A.

Dr. J.S. Whale, M.A.

Miss Elsie Spriggs

Mr Owen Kentish, F.I.A.

 

Musical Committee --

 

Rev. E.R. Routley, M.A.

Rev. E.C.L. Shave, M.A.

Rev. J.F. Shepherd, M.A.

Dr. Eric H. Thiman

Miss Marjorie Renton, F.R.C.O.

Mr A. Norman Carter

Mr Owen Kentish, F.I.A.

CUEW Council Report for 1943-44, pp. 115-7

The Assembly passed the following resolution in May 1939 :

"That this Assembly, having received the Report of the Committee appointed to consider the need for a new hymn book, agrees with the recommendation that a new Hymn Book is needed, and authorizes the General Purposes Committee to submit to the Assembly proposals for the method by which the Hymn Book should be prepared."

The General Purposes Committee asked the Committee already appointed to consider the need for a new hymn book to prepare the suggested proposals and to report to the General Purposes Committee. Dr. Whale was added to the Committee.

The Committee met on June 9, 1939. The following were present:

Revs. H.C. Carter, L.E. Cooke, Dr. J.D. Jones, K.L. Parry (Chairman), E.C.L. Shave, J.F. Shepherd, and Dr. A. Peel.

The Committee considered the memorandum submitted by the Chairman concerning the methods of editing other hymn books. It was unanimously agreed that the appointment of a large committee should not be recommended. The view was represented on the committee that the best method is to entrust the work to a single editor, with the help of an advisory committee. It was agreed that there is much to be said in favour of that method, but it is not easy to find an editor who would have the confidence of all the churches, and who would not impress his own personality too much upon the hymn book.

The problem may be stated in this way: to produce a book of which the people in the churches will say, "That is the book we want"; and of which those with a more expert knowledge of hymnology will say, "That is the book they ought to want." To hold the balance between what may be called "popular demand" and a high standard of merit and scholarship is the main problem in producing a hymn book for use in the churches.

It was agreed that this could best be secured by entrusting the work to a small Committee with an editorial secretary. The Committee was unanimous thatg the Rev. A.G. Matthews, if he could be persuaded to serve, would be in every way the best editorial secretary.

A long discussion took place as to the members of the Editorial Committee. Many names were suggested and many more would occur to others. The chief qualifications the Committee had in mind were a real understanding of the needs of the churches and a wide knowledge of the resources of hymnology and its place and function in public worship.

The Committee ventures to suggest the following names to the General Purposes Committee:

Rev. Norman Goodall

Rev. Dr. A.J. Grieve

Mr Owen Kentish

Rev. L.E. Cooke

Dr. W.G. Moore

Rev. E.R. Routley

Rev. K.L. Parry

Rev. J.F. Shepherd

Rev. Dr. J.S. Whale

Rev. A.G. Matthews (Editorial Secretary)

Other names may be preferred, but it is strongly urged that the Committee should not be larger. The number originally suggested was five, but it was enlarged to make it more fully representative.

In order that the hymn book should be fully representative of the denomination as a whole, it is proposed that a large number of Congregationalists, both ministerial and lay, should be consulted as to the final selection of hymns, and a copy of the list of hymns to be included in the new book should be available for any member of the Assembly for criticism or comment before final publication.

In regard to the music, the Committee strongly recommends that the Editorial Committee should have the final word in the selection of the tunes. Here also a balance must be kept between musical standards and the needs of the congregation. It is hoped that no tune will be included which is not musically a good tune. But what is best musically must sometimes yield to what is most desired by the congregation.

The following names are suggested for the consultative Musical Committee:

Mr Norman Carter

Mr. Owen Kentish

Rev. E.R. Routley

Rev. E.C.L. Shave

Rev. J.F. Shepherd

Dr. Eric Thiman

The selection and pointing of the chants and canticles will be the responsibility of the Editorial Committee in consultation with the Musical Committee.

The Committee gave careful consideration to the question of an Anthem Section. It was agreed that if there is to be an Anthem Section it should include only simple anthems within the competence of an ordinary choir. There are still churches where the congregation joins in the singing of the anthem. When the choir attempts more ambitious anthems it is recommended that sheet music should be used or one of the existing collections of anthems. The Committee would suggest, however, that the churches might be consulted as to whether they really wish an Anthem Section to be included in the new hymn book.

The Committee had before it at an earlier meeting the suggestion of the Literature Committee that a section of Responsive Services might be included in the new hymn book. It was unanimously agreed that if there is a demand for Liturgical Services of this kind they should be published separately. They should not form part of the hymn book. But there are a few suffrages included in the Hymnary which are used in some of the churches. It is recommended that these should be retained in their present form or with modifications in the new book.

CYB 1948 p.91 (Minutes, Annual Assembly Thurs. 15th May 1947)

New Hymn Book. -- The Rev. K.L. Parry, B.Sc., Chairman of the Hymn Book Committee, made a statement concerning the progress of the Committee's work, paying tribute to the labours of the Rev. Erik Routley, M.A., B.D.,. and Dr. E. Thiman. He stated that many ministers and laymen had been consulted by the Committee throughout the process of compilation and that suggestions submitted by numerous correspondents had been in all cases most carefully considered. Mr Parry then moved the following resolution:

This Assembly authorizes the Editorial Committee of the Hymn Book to submit their work when it is completed to the Independent Press to be printed and published for the Congregational Union of England and Wales at the earliest possible date.

This resolution was carried.

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.

CYB 1951 p.100 (Minutes, Annual Assembly Wed. 17th May 1950)

[ General Purposes Committee Report. ]

. . . The following Resolutions were accepted by the Assembly:

. . .

. . .

(f) That the Rev. Geoffrey Nuttall, the Rev. Erik Routley and Mr Bernard Honess shall represent the Union on the Committee to be set up in Northampton concerning the celebration of the bicentenary of the death of Philip Doddridge in 1951.

CYB 1951 p.107 (Minutes, Annual Assembly Thurs. 18th May 1950)

THE ASSEMBLY, -- At 6.30 p.m. the final Session of the Assembly and Public Meeting was held in Westminster Chapel under the title, "A Festival of Congregational Praise". Chairman: The Rev. H.F. Lovell Cocks, M.A., D.D. The Rev. K.L. Parry, B.Sc., gave an introduction to the new Congregational Hymn Book and the selections chosen for this meeting. The Rev. Erik Routley, M.A., was at the organ. The singing was conducted by Dr. Eric Thiman, F.R.C.O., and was led by the choir of Park Chapel, Crouch End. 

CUEW Council Report for 1949-50, page 95

INDEPENDENT PRESS LIMITED

Hymn Books -- At long last it is confidently expected to publish the new hymn book Congregational Praise in the autumn of this year. It is hoped that the prices charged will be similar to those at present ruling for the Congregational Hymnary (which will be kept in print for many years). In the first place two editions only will be issued -- a Staff Notation Edition and a Words Only Edition, both in cloth boards. Once these standard editions are available some variations in size and binding will be added. Churches are urged to commence saving money to enable them to purchase the new book when ready. As announced previously, a guarantee scheme will be in operation whereby those placing bulk first orders for Choir Editions and Visitors' Books may receive 25 per cent of their requirements free of charge. A separate Anthem Book containing one hundred carefully selected works suitable for small choirs is to be published. To appear later is Congregational Praise Discussed, a book that will prove of the greatest value and interest to all who love hymnology. May we draw attention once again to School Worship, the young people's hymn book? It is without question the best and by far the largest compilation of hymns for young people that is published by anyone. Inder the general editorship of Dr. Thalben Ball it provides us with the best of the ancient and modern hymns and tunes of Christendom. Every Congregational Church should use this book. A prospectus is available upon application, and also details of a "guarantee scheme".

CUEW Council Report for 1951-52, page 74

INDEPENDENT PRESS LIMITED

Congregational Praise -- The outstanding achievement of the year has been the publication of Congregational Praise in the Staff Notation and Standard "Words" editions. After a long period of waiting the book was published on the 13th December. A lunch, to which special invitations were issued, was given jointly by the Directors of Independent Press and the Trustees of the Memorial Hall, the latter at the same time opening the Library as a place of meeting. A group of singers, under the conductorship of the Rev. E.R. Routley, came from Oxford to entertain the guests with selections from the new book. Early in December specially bound Presentation Copies were sent to, and graciously accepted by, H.M. the King, H.M. The Queen, H.R.H. The Princess Elizabeth, and H.M. Queen Mary. Other presentations at the lunch were made to the Rev. K.L. Parry, Chairman of the Hymn Book Committee, the Rev. A.G. Matthews, Editorial Secretary, the Rev. E.R. Routley, Minutes Secretary, Dr. Eric H.Thiman, Chairman of the Music Advisory Committee, and the Publisher, Mr. Bernard Honess. In the absence of the Rev. H.S. Stanley, Chairman of the Union, a copy was held in readiness to present to him on a suitable occasion. A grant of free copies is being made upon all first orders received from churches for the "Choir" and "Visitors" editions only. A larger edition of the "Words" will be issued in approximately a year's time. No arrangements have been made to publish a Tonic Solfa Edition because of the tremendous extra expenditure involved, but in response to pressure from Scotland and Wales this matter is to be considered by the Board of the Press. The Board hopes the churches will adopt the book whole-heartedly, for without doubt it is the finest collection of hymns and tunes in print, and the production of the book is quite outstanding. A Companion to Congregational Praise is in the press.

CUEW Council Report 1951-2

FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORT

Independent Press Ltd. . . . The financing of the new Hymn Book, Congregational Praise, is being effected in part by an interest-free loan, provided out of profits earned on earlier years' trading by the Company, which have been distributed to the Union. Facilities up to £19,000 are being provided.

LIFE AND WORK DEPARTMENT

. . .

CONFERENCE OF ORGANISTS

A Conference of Organists is to be held at Mansfield College, Oxford, June 21st to 23rd. The importance of this conference for the worship of our churches can hardly be over-estimated, and particulars can be obtained from Rev. Erik R. Routley, M.A., B.D.

INDEPENDENT PRESS LIMITED

Congregational Praise -- To publish a hymn-book, especially one having the proportions of Congregational Praise, is a major undertaking. Such a book takes years to produce, both editorially and materially. It had been hoped to publish the standard edition at the end of 1950, but the strike in the printing industry referred to in paragraph one put back the work considerably. To save money, the book is being produced in a way that requires the existence of complete proofs before being able to proceed to machine. This saving will be appreciated by the churches when they come to purchase copies, and therefore it is hoped that those now waiting for supplies will content themselves in patience. Publication is expected in the first part of 1951. Full particulars of editions to be published first will be sent to all ministers and church secretaries just before publication -- it is not possible to send them now for costs continue to vary day by day. There will not be a discount for churches taking quantities, but a grant of free copies of "Choir" and "Visitors" books on the first order only received from any church. It does not matter whether the order is received when the book is first published or years later; the same concession will apply.

CUEW Council Report 1953 (for year 1952)

INDEPENDENT PRESS LIMITED

. . . The period (1952) has been one when the greater part of the `first impressions' of Congregational Praise, in both Music and Words Editions, have been sold. The book has had a most enthusiastic reception in our churches and has been spoken of highly in all denominations. It has not been possible to keep editions in stock and inevitably there has been some disappointment where churches had to wait for deliveries -- and many are still waiting. The `second impressions' commenced to reach Memorial Hall late in the year and the great bulk of consignments were away to the churches before Christmas. The `third impressions' are already in hand but waiting for paper to fall in price, to avoid a price increase.

Up to date the Standard Music Edition (M.2), the Choir Edition (C.1), the Standard Words Edition (W.2) and the Visitors' Words Edition (W.1) have been published. In May it is expected to have the Tonic Solfa (T.S.1) Edition for Choirs, and the `Pica' Edition (larger words) (P.1). Most editions are also being made available in paste grain leather and morocco. The Companion to Congregational Praise, compiled by the Rev. Kenneth Lloyd Parry, B.Sc., and the Rev. Erik Routley, M.A., B.D., D.Phil., is expected to be published in the autumn of 1953. The Anthem Book will be issued when all the other editions are in print.

_._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._ 

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(The Rejoice & Sing Enchiridion:edited by David Goodall; last amended 28/1/04)