The Sarum Hymnal - Title page and (part of) Preface, transcribed from a copy in The Congregational Library, London
(Title Page:)
Some apology may seem to be needed in these days for bringing out a new Hymn Book, even when, as in this case, it takes the form of a revised and enlarged edition of an existing work.
Although the sale of the Salisbury Hymn Book had exceeded 100,000 copies, there were many in the dioscese who did not think it equal to their wants, and a large Committee was appointed by the Bishop to review it and sit in judgment upon the book.
After much patient investigation, they proposed the omission of several hymns, selected about 150 new ones, and laid down certain general principles. 1st. That original hymns should be given so far as possible in their original form. 2nd. That all translated hymns should be carefully compared with the originals, and re-translated when thought necessary. 3rd. That a few of the Metrical Psalms should be added to the Book. 4th. That a Tune Book with a special tune for each hymn should accompany the work.
The Bishop appointed the undersigned to carry out this work. This task, which at first appeared comparatively light, grew under our hands. We found it necessary to re-arrange the Book from the beginning, and to ensure the completeness of this new arrangement, new hymns had to be written, and additional selections made.
In our desire to avoid the alteration of hymns, we have found it necessary to omit some altogether, as being inadmissible without great alterations. Some, as varied by Mr Keble, we have inserted as new hymns, for many of the best hymns extant have been made by variations on originals, and John Wesley has himself varied for the sake of metre many of George Herbert's original compositions.
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The hymns have been arranged under each Season after the Order of the Book of Common Prayer; and all hymns of a character suitable to the teaching of each Season will be found under that particular heading; thus all Penitential Hymns will be found together under Lent, Litany Hymns under Rogation Days, all Hymns of Praise under Trinity Sunday.
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The Salisbury Hymn Book never was a closed book, and those collectors of hymns who had borrowed from it have liberally helped in return.. Selections have been made by permission from Hymns Ancient and Modern, the Parish Hymn Book, How and Morell's last edition with Appendix, and the Holy Year, which we have thought it right to acknowledge in our Index. For this kindness our thanks are especially due to the Rev. Sir H.Williams Baker, Bart., the Rev. Greville Phillimore, the Rev. W.Walsham How, and Archdeacon Christopher Wordsworth, D.D.; and we also tender our thanks to the Dean of Canterbury, the Dean of St Paul's, and to many others for their kind courtesy and assistance.
We have spared no pains in the work we were given to do, and have endeavoured to keep in mind the general views and principles of the large Committee, for though appointed independently of them, we are fully sensible of the great assistance they have afforded in so carefully laying the foundations of the New Book.
We commend the book to the Diocese of Sarum, and to the Province of Canterbury, of which the Bishop of Salisbury is ex-officio Precentor, and through these to the whole Church, in the humble hope that it may tend to God's Glory, to the unity of His people, and to the furtherance of the Faith in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
NELSON
J.R.WOODFORD
E.A.DAYMAN.
The Tunes Preface, not transcribed here, was subscribed
G.NOEL FREELING
T.E.AYLWARD.
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