School Worship, Congregational Union of England & Wales, 1926: 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. ]
Modern developments in Sunday School work have emphasised both the importance of worship in the religious training of the young, and the necessity of recognising in the helps provided for both praise and prayer the well-marked stages in the growth from childhood to adult life. In the endeavour to meet that need the present book has been compiled.
The selection of hymns provided has been divided into two parts; Part I. containing those which on the whole are considered suitable for younger boys and girls. In the preparation of Part II. the compilers have had in mind, in addition to the needs of the Sunday School, the idea of a book of larger scope than is ordinarily required for that purpose, one that will be welcomed for use in Young People's Societies, Guilds, Fellowships, and similar gatherings, and may prove of service in the Day School. With that end in view this Part is also published separately under the title of "A Book of Worship for Youth".
The hymns included have been chosen with care to conserve what may be called the great heritage hymns of the Church, while finding adequate space for the work of more modern writers, expressing Christian thought and aspiration in the language of the present generation.
For Schools which have adopted the principle of graded departments, special classified indexes have been compiled, suggesting hymns suitable for Junior, Intermediate, and Senior sections.
A collection of hymns, with other musical helps, for Beginners and Primary Departments - children under the age of eight years - is published in a separate volume under the title of "Childhood's Praise."
A further feature of the book is the inclusion of Orders of Worship for the great festivals of the Christian Year and some other occasions, together with a collection of Prayers and Responsive Services for optional use in the School. These have been prepared to meet the growing need for such aids to worship as will encourage children and young people to take a larger part in the service than they do in the singing of the hymns alone.
While the professed purpose of the book is the enrichment of public worship in the school, it is hoped that it may also find a place in the worship of the home and prove a helpful companion in private devotion.
The preparation of the book has been carried out by a committee appointed by the Council of the Congregational Union of England and Wales at the instance of their Young People's Department. They gladly acknowledge how much they have been helped in their work by much service ungrudgingly given. And now that the task entrusted to them is complete, they offer the result of their labour to the younger generation of the Church, and all who are concerned in their welfare, praying that the blessing of God may rest upon it.
In presenting a Hymnal for Young People which may be of service in Sunday Schools, Day Schools, Young People's Fellowships and Guilds, it is recognised that in order to secure combined singing which shall be both spontaneous and fervent in character, the chief aim must be to provide tunes that are at once invigorating and expressive. The two great essentials of a vital hymn tune are a good melodic line and a strong rhythmic pulse; and an endeavour has been made to supply tunes such as are by their contour not difficult to learn, and which by their spirited feeling and hard wearing qualities will not pall after extensive use.
It may be to some extent an innovation in a Sunday School Hymnal to include a number of melodies drawn from secular sources, such as traditional tunes and folk-songs; but it has seemed desirable to take acount of the growing familiarity with such melodies which is being cultivated through their use in the day school. Great care has been taken in the choice of tunes which may fittingly be associated with hymns of aspiration and service.
It has been felt that in a book, which we hope may appeal to youth, many new and fresher tunes might be included. At the same time we have endeavoured not to omit any tune which has established itself justifiably in popular favour. In some cases an alternative tune has been given side by side with an older one; in a few cases, where a new tune has been definitely substituted, the older one has been included in an appendix.
Very few indications of speed or expression have been inserted, as it is considered that expression marks tend to curb a hearty spontaneity. The leader of the music, carefully using his own judgment, will attain better results than can be secured by the somewhat arbitrary indications which expression marks give.
Speaking generally it is suggested that the tunes should be taken at as brisk a pace as in keeping with the feeling and dignity of the words. The pitch of the tunes has been chosen with the object of infusing as much brightness and life as possible into the rendering without giving a feeling of strain or difficulty. While it is recognised that the singing of the school will generally be in unison, the accompaniment of many well-known tunes written with that fact in view, has been either reharmonized or arranged, so that, in the event of a full choir being present, the hymns may be sung in four-part harmony.
G. THALBEN-BALL.
The Committee wish to express their keen appreciation of the valuable services which Mr.G. Thalben-Ball, Organist of the Temple Church, has rendered them as Musical Adviser. They have to thank him for his help in the selection of suitable music for the Hymns, for the original tunes which he has contributed to this book, and for his harmonizing of some Folk-Song melodies, and reharmonizing of some tunes already in use. These arrangements are copyright, and may not be used without permission. The Committee would also thank Mr. H.A.Chambers for the care with which he has translated the Tonic Sol-fa, and for his expert technical help in passing the music proofs. Also the Oxford University Press for the harmonization of tunes from the English Hymnal.
[ Copyright acknowledgments of individual hymns and tunes follow in the source book, with asterisks denoting "that permission has been obtained on payment of a fee". These are not transcribed here.]
End of Preface. Return to Top . . .
Extracts from Minutes of and Reports to the Assembly concerning the production of the 1926 School Worship
[ CYB = Congregational Year Book : see the following extracts. In each case the Reports and Minutes refer to the previous calendar year. ]
- CYB 1922
- CYB 1923
- CYB 1924
- CYB 1925
- CYB 1926
- CYB 1927
- CYB 1928
- CYB 1938
- CYB 1939
and
- Council Report for 1946-47
- Council Report for 1947-48
CYB 1922 pp.25-6 Assembly Wed. 11th May 1921
(Council Report for 1920-21)
WORK AMONG THE YOUNG
. . .
The Book of Worship and of Song is now practically complete as regards actual compilation, and it is hoped to publish it within another year.
(Can't find any earlier report about this project. See following year's report. The publication of Assembly Reports and Minutes in the Year Book was severely curtailed during the closing years of the 1914-18 war, and no record of the original Committee and early discussions appears to have been published.)
CYB 1923 p.31 Assembly Minutes Wed. 10th May 1922
(Council Report for 1921 - 1922)
Work among the Young Committee
. . .
A HYMNARY FOR SCHOOLS AND YOUNG PEOPLE'S SOCIETIES. -- The compilation of a Book of Worship and Song, complementary to the Congregational Hymnary, was towards the close of the war entrusted to a Committee appointed by the Union on the initiative of the Young People's Department. This Book, which will include Primary music and hymns, and have a special section for the use of Young People's Societies, Fellowships and Young People's organisations generally, will be published as soon as the costs of printing and binding allow. The Committee hopes it will be in the hands of our churches in the coming year at the latest, and will prove helpful in all the work fostered by our Department.
CYB 1924 p.9 Assembly Minutes Wed. 9th May 1923
(Council Report for 1922 - 1923)
Work among the Young Committee
. . .
The Hymnaries for Schools and Young People's Societies. -- A Volume of Worship and Song for Sunday Schools and Young People's Societies complementary to the Congregational Hymnary is now practically ready for publication. It is especially hoped that the section prepared for our newly formed Fellowships and for Young People's Societies generally will be found to be of special value, and will fill a niche as yet not fully occupied.
CYB 1925 pp. 8-9 and 16-17 Assembly Minutes Wed. 14th May 1924
(Council Report for 1923 - 1924)
(pp. 8-9) Finance Commission
ECONOMIES
. . .
The other recommendations can best be discussed under the heading of the Young People's Department. Three things especially engaged the attention of your Commission : -
- (a) The Publication of "Teachers and Taught"
- (b) The position of Mr S.A. Warner
- (c) The question of a new Sunday School Hymnary
(a) [ recommended discontinuation ] [ Actually it wasn't discontinued; circulation trebled itself in the following year and it continued in production. ]
(b) [ "Sack him. We can't afford him any longer, esp. if "T. & T." is discontinued" ]
(c) The third subject connected with the Young People's Department which occupied the attention of your Commission was that of the proposed Sunday School Hymnary. The Young People's Department has for long been engaged on its preparation. The Commission are agreed that such a Hymnary is needed, but in view of the financial condition of the Union they recommend that the Finance Committee should seriously consider the wisdom of proceeding with its publication in view of the heavy financial responsibility that would be so incurred. They further recommend that the Committee charged with the preparation of the Hymn Book should take measures to assure themselves of its suitability to meet the requirements of different types of schools and Young People's Societies.
(pp.16-17) Work among the Young Committee
. . .
The New Hymn Book for Schools. -- The Book of Worship and Song, on which most of the preliminary work has been accomplished, has been temporarily set aside by the Finance Commission, owing to the expense of publication. We hope, however, although the serious delay is causing disappointment to many, that thanks to the generosity of Mr J.C. Meggitt, the work of publication will be pressed forward as quickly as possible.
[ Mr J.C. Meggitt was Vice-chairman of the Finance Committee ]
CYB 1926 pp. 33 - 34 and 62 Assembly Minutes Wed. 13th May 1925
(Council Report for 1924 - 1925)
(p.34) Publication Committee
. . .
The new Sunday School Hymnal, prepared by a special Committee, appointed in 1916, is almost completed for publication, an edition of the words without music being already in type. Mr J.C. Meggitt has generously promised to advance the capital for this publication, and guaranteed the Committee against loss.
. . .
. . . during the year 1924 the sales by the Department amounted to £20,760. The total is £232 less than in the previous year. The falling off, however, is entirely due to a decrease of £866 from sales of Hymnals, etc., which must necessarily decrease now that the new Hymnary* has become so generally adopted.
[ * i.e. the 1916 Congregational Hymnary ]
(p.62) Work among the Young Committee
. . .
The Sunday School Hymn-Books. -- It is hoped that the labours of the Hymn-Book Committee, which have continued for six years, will be brought to a successful conclusion by the publication this summer of three books, one for the Primary Department, entitled "Children's Praise," another for Senior Departments and Young People's Societies, and a third entitled "School Worship", for use in all Schools. This will include the Senior Section. It is confidently believed that these books will greatly improve the spirit and method of worship in our Sunday Schools and Young People's Meetings.
CYB 1927 p.39 Assembly Minutes Wed. 9th June 1926
(Council Report for 1925 - 1926)
(p.39) Publication Committee Report ("Independent Press Limited")
The Publication Committee is presenting its report of the year's working to the Council is glad to be able to record that steady progress has been made, and although the total trade is slightly behind the figures for last year the reason for this is largely the gradual falling off in the sales of the Congregational Hymnary which is inevitable under the circumstances. It is to be hoped, however, that the Churches which have not yet adopted the Hymnary will do so at the earliest possible moment. The endeavour to publish an Organ Edition of the Chants and Anthems has not been realised, a sufficient number of Churches not having guaranteed orders for the book, and without at least 500 guaranteed orders it would be impossible to publish the book without serious loss.
. . .
The outstanding publication since the last report is the new Sunday School Hymnal, called "School Worship," prepared by the Special Committee which was appointed in 1916. The preparation of this book has been slightly delayed, and it was not until after the New Year that it was actually published. The Committee believes that it will greatly enrich the worship of Sunday Schools and Young People's Societies, and hopes that it will receive the widest possible circulation. It is a hopeful sign that the Psalms and Hymns Trust has adopted the book for use in Baptist Sunday Schools, and has ordered a substantial edition with a joint imprint.
(p.72) Work amongst the Young Committee
. . .
A NEW HYMN BOOK. The labours of the Hymn Book Committee, which have extended over eight years, saw their reward in the appearance of "School Worship," a Hymn Book for Sunday Schools and Young People's Societies. It is hoped that its publication will greatly assist Superintendents in their effort to improve and develop the devotional aspect of their Sunday School Services. We desire to acknowledge with gratitude the splendid work given to the compilation by the Chairman and the other members of the Hymn Book Committee.
CYB 1928 p.40 Assembly Minutes Wed. 11th May 1927
(Council Report for 1926 - 1927)
(p.40) Independent Press Limited
Sales. . . .
The sales of our editions of hymn books and service books in 1926 show an increase of £1,346. The newly published "School Worship" is winning marked popularity. Over 27,000 copies have been sold, in addition to editions of 29,000, with special title page, taken by the "Psalms and Hymns Trust" of the Baptist Churches.
CYB 1938 p.227 (Independent Press report for 1936-7)
Sales of this excellent Sunday school hymn-book have only been a few hundred copies less than in the first year of issue - in itself a record year for sales - which is striking evidence of the popularity of the book ten years after its publication. Many schools outside our connexion use School Worship, and we believe it still offers the best and most complete collection of hymns and responsive services available. An application to the Manager of Independent Press from any school wishing to consider the adoption of School Worship will bring a specimen copy free.
CYB 1939 p.268 (Independent Press report for 1937-8)
"School Worship" -- This excellent collection of hymns and responsive services for Juniors, Intermediates, and Seniors still continues to find general acceptance, both within and without our denomination. It is suggested that schools using older and less complete books will, as opportunity arises, ask Independent Press to send sample copies for consideration. School Worship, in the opinion of many well-known Sunday-school leaders, is the best book of its kind. A letter and offer to send specimen books is being sent to all our Congregational schools which do not at present use this book.
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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(The Rejoice & Sing Enchiridion:edited by David Goodall; last amended 7/4/03)