The Enchiridion

Henry Allon: Congregational Psalmist Hymnal, 1886

[ Transcription of the Title Page and Preface, from a copy in Dr Williams's Library, London.]

[ Title page ]

Congregational Psalmist

HYMNAL

 [ Preface ]

 PREFACE

The first edition of the "Congregational Psalmist" was published in 1858, its companion Hymn Book -- "Supplemental Hymns for Public Worship," -- in 1868. It was therefore one of the pioneers of the great and gratifying development of Congregational worship, which this generation has seen, and a not uninfluential contributor to it. Subsequently to its publication, the combination in one volume of hymns with music has become common. This is a great convenience, and it has the advantage of identifying each hymn with its distinctive tune. The preparation of an edition of the "Congregational Psalmist with Hymns" was commenced some eighteen years ago, but the completion and publication of it were hindered by considerations that no longer exist. The present volume, therefore, is the fruit of many years' labour and familiarity with Hymnology.

 The amazing advance of Congregational singing in English speaking churches can be fully realized only by those who can personally remember what, in Parish Church and Nonconformist Chapel alike, it was forty years ago. In the Anglican Church the neglected Hymn has become prominent in Congregational worship, in the Puritan Churches worship has developed in aesthetic forms. The art-music of ritual worship has deepened and broadened into Congregational song, while the rude fervour of Evangelical Hymn singing has developed into a higher art-expression. Both tendencies have thus combined to produce what is perhaps a more consentaneous and extended culture of the worship of the congregation than the Church of Christ has ever known. One effect has been fresh contributions to the Hymnology of the Church of a very rich and precious character. It is impossible to exaggerate the contributions to worship-song of the Evangelical Revival of the Eighteenth Century -- of Watts and Wesley, Toplady and Doddridge, Cowper and John Newton; but the deeper and broader spiritual life of our own age has produced contributions of equal and more diversified excellence. James Montgomery and Josiah Conder, Keble and Lyte, Newman and Faber, C.Elliott and Monsell, Bishop Wordsworth and Bishop Walsham How, George Rawson and Horatius Bonar, John Ellerton and Godfrey Thring, Ray Palmer and Bishop Bickersteth, Frances Havergal and Mrs. Alexander, with many others, have raised our Church Hymnody, to a very high level indeed, and have supplied congregations with exhaustless stores of worshipping inspiration. It is given to no one man or generation to furnish adequate and permanent expression for the manifold devotional life of the Christian Church. To this all ages, all Churches, all indivualities, must contribute. The transitions in religious thought, experience, tone, circumstance, and work, which are continually going on, necessitate fresh modes of devotional expression --

"The old order changeth, yielding place to new,

And God fulfils Himself in man ways,

Lest one good custom should corrupt the world."

There are Hymns, the glorious possession of all the Christian ages, which in their fitness and fulness as expressions of common Christian life, no changing forms can affect; and there are also individualities of religious inspiration and expression that are born of each generation and address themselves to it. It is in the latter that the mutations of Hymnody are seen and felt. Old leaves drop from the Hymnological tree, and fresh and more affluent foliage forms. The large proportion in this selection of Hymns by contemporary writers -- nearly one half, will surprise many.

Transcendent, therefore, as were the excellencies of Watts and Wesley as Hymn writers, many of their compositions have necessarily become obsolete. The forms have changed in which theological idea embodied itself, and in which religious life was realized. New fields and modes of Christian work have become imperative; new embodiments of social, family, and church life, have been generated; conceptions of Christian habit and relationship have been modified: even the suggestive metaphor of one generation becomes obsolete or ludicrous, in the generation following it. All these things, while they do not affect the radical elements of Christian life, necessarily change its modes of expression.

This Hymnal is an attempt to meet these changing circumstances. It reverently maintains the cardinal elements of Evangelical Christian life and worship. In the expression of scriptural idea and sentiment concerning the Divine Lord and His redeeming work, it does not shrink from New Testament phrases and metaphors which rarely lead even the most ignorant into serious misconceptions, and which are objected to chiefly by those who reject the doctrines that they embody. We need not emasculate metaphors which have the sanction even of the Divine Master himself in order to remove possibilities of misconception. There is a robust common sense of men that may safely be trusted. At the same time, the lyrical embodiment of the larger theological thought, and the broader, more humane, more diversified, and more enterprising religious life of our own day, is gladly recognized.

A Hymn is the inspiration of piety and poetry -- both; and the piety is more than the poetry. It is not too much to say that, were it an alternative, the devotional purposes of Hymnody would be better accomplished by the rudest forms of devotional fervour than by the most perfect embodiments of poetical genius. Few great poets have contributed to our Hymnody; while some of the Hymns that have taken an inflexible hold of the heart of the Church have been written by men concerning whom almost all we know is that they wrote them.

It is to be remembered also that the Hymn Book of the Church is the manual not of the literary and cultured only, but also of the uncultured and the ignorant. It must therefore address itself to their modes of apprehension, unless artistic and literary selfishness is to leave them uncared for. Not that either good taste or refined feeling need be violated in the compositions of such an appeal. We need not have recourse to what is vulgar in order to secure what is popular and inspiring: but this aim puts a limit upon over fastidiousness. If the common people are to be the care of the Church, its Hymnal must be an embodiment for their use. The Hymns of the Church, like the Ballads of the nation, are for popular lyrical use, and are to be tested not by mere literary Canons, but by their power of devotional inspiration. That is the best Hymn which has in it the most potent spiritual inspiration for the greatest number of worshipping men and women.

The same principles applyh to Tunes. Many Tunes that tested solely by Canons of Musical Art would be pronounced inferior, have in them -- like many ballad tunes -- a power of popular inspiration that would cause their excision to be a devotional loss. While, therefore, ever seeking, both in the Hymns and in Tunes, to avoid what is incongruous, and to elevate both poetical and musical taste, it has been felt that the admission of a Hymn, or of a Tune, was not to be determined by Art-Canons alone, but rather by its practical power of popular inspiration.

Such Hymns have been selected as seemed best calculated to bring men directly into spiritual communion with God in Christ, not so much through Theologies, or Sacraments, or Churches, as through the deep sense of spiritual realities -- the affinities and necessities of their spiritual nature. This is helped by the spiritual as distinguished from the ecclesiastical and ritual traditions of past ages. The problem of a devotional manual is neither unduly to relax nor to overstrain the associations of the religious life, but to make all things, past and present, minister to its highest development.

The classification of Hymns for the convenient use of Congregations has necessitated a rearrangement of the Tunes, and occasion has been taken to embody in a revision of the music the result of twenty-eight years' experience in its use. The first book of three hundred and thirty Tunes was edited by the late Dr. Gauntlett, whose contributions to the music of the Church were of a very high order: additions to the work were subsequently made. The whole has now been revised by Professor W.H. Monk, Mus. Doc., whose high qualifications as a writer and harmonizer of music for Congregational use are universally acknowledged. Occasion has also been taken to remove from the collection such Tunes as were practically found to be ineffective, and to substitute for them such as have come to be popularly associated with individual Hymns, or such as commended themselves by special fitness and excellence. The nomenclature of the Tunes has also been revised, and, as far as possible, brought into accord with popular use.

I have sought to provide a Hymnal distinctively for Church use. The Hymn Book is the liturgy of Nonconformist worship, and must therefore supply a large and diversified worship-song. To attempt to comprise in one book a manual for Private Devotion, a selection for the Home Sanctuary, and a Hymnal for the Sunday School, together with a Hymnal for the Church, is simply impracticable: each demands a much larger and more diversified provision than is possible in such a combination.

After careful observation of attempts to combine in one volume as adequate number and diversity of Hymns, with an adequate number and diversity of Chants and Anthems, I have come to the conclusion that this also is impracticable. In almost every instance where it has been attempted, Supplements have had to be speedily provided. Churches using in their regular services, say nine or ten Hymns every week, soon become conscious of lack, not only of many excluded Hymns familiar and excellent in themselves, but also of general sufficiency and variety. While if two or three Chants and two or three Anthems are used every week (and where used at all few Churches use less) a larger and more varied supply than can be provided in a combined volume soon becomes imperative.

The truest economy, therefore, seems to be to provide adequately for each section of worship-forms. The present Hymnal has sought to include all Hymns that, from old associations or intrinsic excellence, churches may reasonably desire to use, so as permanently to satisfy the necessities and the feeling of worshippers. Chantgs and Anthems are left for separate provision.

My grateful acknowledgements for contributions of original compositions, and for permission to use copyright Hymns and Tunes, must include contributors to former editions of the work. With scarcely an exception, men the most diverse in theological thought and ecclesiastical position, have generously and heartily permitted the use of their Hymns. Beneath all differences of form, lie the common life and heart of religious men. This has enabled a Catholic devotional feeling and use which to me is a great joy, and which, in the perhaps inevitable conflicts of creeds and churches, must be an inestimable benefit. It is much to have, in common worship, religious feeling inspired and sanctified and made more tender by common Hymns. Asperities are subdued towards those who have helped us in drawing men to God.

It is almost starling to think, how many who thus generously contributed to the earlier work have "fallen asleep". Their memory is blessed in the worship they still inspire.

For permission to use copyright Hymns, as seen in the Index, I am indebted to the late Very Rev. Dr. Henry Alford, Dean of Canterbury; Mrs. C.F. Alexander; the late Rev. Dr. William Lindsay Alexander; Rev. Canon Robert HAll Baynes; Messrs. George Bell and Sons, for Hymns of the late Miss Adelaide A. Procter; the Right Rev. Dr. Edward Henry Bickersteth, Bishop of Exeter; the late Mr. Henry Bateman; representatives of the late Rev. Dr. Thomas Binney; Rev. William John Blew, for Hymns from the "Church Hymn and Tune Book;" Rev. Abel Gerald W. Blunt; Rev. Dr. Horatius Bonar, and Messrs. Nisbet & Co.; Miss Jane Borthwick; the late Sir John Bowring; the late Rev. James Baldwin Brown; the late Rev. George B. Bubier; the late Rev. James Drummond Burns, and Messrs. Misbet & Co.; Mrs Elizabeth Rundle Charles; Rev. S. Childs Clarke; Mrs Codner; the late Rev. George William Conder; Rev. Dr. Eustace Conder, for the Hymns of the late Mr. Josiah Conder; Mrs. Cousins., and Messrs. Nisbet & Co., the representatives of the late Rev. H.J. Cummins; Rev. Prebendary Edward Arthur Dayman; the late Sir Edward Denny, and Messrs. Nisbest & Co.; Mr. W. Chatterton Dix; Mrs Douglas; representatives of the late Rev. Henry Downton; Rev. John Ellerton; Miss Emily E.S. Elliott; Mr. Thomas Hornblower Gill; the late Rev. Fred. W. Goadby; Mrs Godwin; Rev. Sabine Baring-Gould; the late Mr. Benjamin Gough; Miss Kate Hankey; Rev. Dr. Edwin Hatch; the late Miss Frances Ridley Havergal, and her sisters; Mr J.T. Hayes for Hymns of the late Rev. Dr. J.M. Neale; the Right Rev. Dr. William Walsham How, Bishop of Bedford; "Hymns Ancient and Modern," proprietors of, through the late Rev. Sir H.W. Baker, and after his death the Rev. W. Pulling; the late Rev. Dr/, William Josiah Irons; Rev. Dr. Richard Frederick Littledale; Mrs T.T. Lynch, for Hymns of the late Rev. Thomas Toke Lynch; Dr. George Macdonald; Rev. Dr. John Robert Macduff; Right Rev. Dr. William D. Maclagan, Bishop of Lichfield; Mr. Richard Massie; Rev. William Tidd Matson; Mr. Albert Midlane; the late very Rev. Henry Hart Milman, Dean of St. Paul's; the late Rev. Dr. John Samuel Bewley Monsell, and Rev. Canon Furse; Messrs. Morgan and Scott, for Hymns of Miss Campbell and Miss E.C. Clephane; Mr. Charles Edward Mudie; His Eminence Cardinal Newman; Mr. Francis Turner Palgrave; Miss Harriett Parr; Messrs. Parker & Co., for Hymns of the late Rev. John Keble; the very Rev. Dr. Edward Hayes Plumptre, Dean of Salisbury; Rev. George Rundle Prynne; Mr. George Rawson; the "Religious Tract Society," for Hymns of the late Charlotte Elliott; Rev. Andrew Reed, for Hymns by the late Rev. Dr. Andrew Reed and Mrs. Reed; Messrs./ Richardson & Co., for Hymns of the late Rev. Henry Francis Lyte; Rev. Richard Hayes Robinson; the late Rev. George Wade Robinson; the late Rev. Dr. Gilbert Rorison; the late Rev. Arthur Tozer Russell; Mrs Saxby; Rev. Charles Haddon Spurgeon; the late very Rev. Dr. Artur Penrhyn Stanley, Dean of Westminster; Rev. Samuel John Stone; Rev. Dr. David Thomas; Rev. Godfrey Thring; the Rev. Nicholas R. Toke, for Hymns of the late Mrs Toke; Rev. Laurence Tuttiett; Rev. Henry Twells; Miss Anna Letitia Waring; Ref. Fred. Whitfield; the late Miss Catherine Winkworth, and Messrs. Longmans & Co.; Rev. Henry Herbert Wyatt; the late Right Rev. Dr. Christpher Wordsworth, Bishop of Lincoln, and the Right Rev. Dr. John Wordsworth, Bishop of Salisbury.

For permission to use Tunes and arrangements in the previous and present editions of the "Congregational Psalmist," my warmest acknowledgements are due both to those by whom the permission has been freely given, and to those of whom it has been purchased. First to the contributors of Tunes written for this work: -- Mr. Henry Erskine Allon, B.A.; Mr. Joseph Barnby; Mr. Gerald F. Cobb, M.A.; the late Rev. J.B. Dykes, Mus. Doc.; Mr. W.C. Filby; the late Henry John Gauntlett, Mus. Doc.; Mr Charles Hancock, Mus. Bac.; Rev. Dr. J.S.B. Hodges; Mrs Watts Hughes; Mr. Alfred Legge; Mr. J. Douglas Macey; Mr. Fountain Meen; Professor William Henry Monk, Mus. Doc; Mr Clement W. Poole; Mr. Ebenezer Prout, B.A.; Mr. Samuel Smith; Sir Arthur Sullivan, Mus. Doc.

Next to the proprietors of copyrights who have kindly permitted their insertion in this work: -- Mr F.G. Baker; Mr. Henry Baker, Mus. Bac.; Mr. William Samuel Bainbridge, Mus. Bac.; representatives of the late Mr. W. Bayley; the Right Rev. Dr. Edward Hayes Bickersteth, Bishop of Exeter ("Hymnal Companion to the Book of Common Prayer"); Rev. W.J. Blew ("Church Hymn and Tune Book"); the Rev. R. Brown-Borthwick ("Supplemental Hymn and Tune Book"); Proprietors of the "Bradford Tune Book"; Mr. Arthur Henry Brown; Rev. Dr. E.W. Bullinger; Rev. E.S. Carter; Mr. F.C. Chattock; Rev. R.R. Chope ("Congregational Hymn and Tune Book"); the Proprietors of "Congregational Church Music"; the "London Church Choir Association"; the Proprietors of "Church Praise"; Rev. Reginald Fred Dale, Mus. Bac.; Rev. Thomas Darling ("Hymns for the Church of England"); Dublin "Association for Promoting Christian Knowledge," per Rev. D.A. Brown ("Church Hymnal with Tunes"); the late Rev. J.B. Dykes, Mus. Doc., and his representatives; Mr. James William Elliott; Sir George J. Elvey, Mus. Doc.; Major Alexander Ewing; Mr. W.C. Filby; Lady Victoria Evans-Freke ("Song of Praise"); Alfred R. Gaul, Mus. Bac.; the late Henry John Gauntlett, Mus. Doc, and his representatives; Mr. W.B. Gilbert, Mus. Bac.; Mr John Gill; the late Sir John Goss; Mr Charles Hancock, Mus. Bac.; Mr. John Hatton; the late Rev. William Henry Havergal and his representatives; the late Miss Frances R. Havergal and her representatives; the late Rev. L.G. Hayne, Mus. Doc.; Mr. T. Hewlett; E.J. Hopkins, Mus. Doc.; "Hymns Ancient and Modern," Proprietors of, through the late Rev. Sir H.W. Baker, Bart., and after his death, the Rev. W. Pulling; the late Mr. John Hullah; F.E. Huntley, Esq.; Mr. Frederick Iliffe; the Right Rev. Bishop Jenner; Mr. Henry Lahee; Mr. James Langran; Mr. Alfred Legge; the Right Rev. Dr. William D. Maclagan, Bishop of Lichfield; Messrs. Masters & Co., "(Redhead's Church Hymn Tunes"); Rev. Richard T. Matthews, B.A. ("North Coates Supplemental Tune Book"); the late Rev. Peter Maurice, D.D. "Choral Harmony"; Prof. William Henry Monk, Mus. Doc.; Mr. Edward Minshall; the late Rev. W. Mercer and his representatives ("Church Psalter and Hymn Book"); Messrs. Morgan & Co., ("Bristol Tune Book"); Mr. Edwin Moss ("London Tune Book"); the late T.M. Mudie, Esq.; Rev. Dr. E. Mullinger; Messrs. Nisbet & Co. ("Psalms and Hymns for Divine Worship"); Messrs. Novello ("The Hymnary"); Prof. Sir Herbert Oakley, Mus. Doc.; Rev. Sir F.A. Gore-Ousely, Bart., Mus. Doc.; Signor Pieraccini; Mr Clement W. Poole; "The Psalmist," Proprietors of; the late Mr. C.H. Purday; the late Mr. A.R. Reinagle, and his representatives; Mr. Paul Rimbault; "Sarum Hymnal," the Proprietors of; Messrs. Shaw & Co. (the "Christian Hymnal"); the late Sir George Smart; Mr. Samuel Smith; Mr. T.B. Southgate; John Stainer, Mus. Doc.; Sir Robert P. Stewart, Mus. Doc.; Sir Arthur Seymour Sullivan, Mus. Doc. ("Church Hymns with Tunes"); E. Thorne, Esq.; the late A.H. Dyke Troyte, the representatives of; the late Mr. James Turle; the late Mr. James Watson; the late Samuel Sebastian Wesley, Mus. Doc., and his representatives.

Every care has been taken to avoid infringement of copyrights; if through inadvertence such infringement has been made, apology is hereby offered. In a very few instances attempts to communicate with writers have failed. I can only trust that I may be forgiven for presuming upon their acquiescence.

HENRY ALLON

CANONBURY, LONDON.

February 15th, 1886.

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