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[ Transcription of the Title Pages and Preface, from a copy of the Fourth edition 1773 in the British Library, London.]
SELECT
H Y M N S
W I T H
TUNES ANNEXED:
DESIGNED CHIEFLY FOR THE USE OF
T H E P E O P L E
C A L L E D
M E T H O D I S T S.
______________________________________
THE FOURTH EDITION, CORRECTED.
==================================
B R I S T O L
PRINTED BY WILLIAM PINE
_________
M.DCC.LXXIII.
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[ bound in with this copy, and following the 149 hymn texts, First Line Index, and Index of Tune Names, is the Title page of the 110 tunes, cross referenced to the hymn texts (sometimes more than one text for one tune). The Title Page is highly decorated, and impossible to reproduce with standard fonts.]
Melody
or
A choice Collection of
Psalm and Hymn
Tunes
with a Short Introduction
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[ Preface to Select Hymns ]
1. Some years ago a Collection of Tunes was published, under the title of Harmonia Sacra. I believe all unprejudiced persons who understand music allow, that it exceeds, beyond all degrees of comparison, any thing of the kind which has appeared in England before: the tunes being admirably well chosen, and accurately engraven, not only for the voice, but likewise for the organ or harpsichord.
2. But this, though it is excellent in its kind, is not the thing which I want. I want the people called Methodists to sing true, the tunes which are in common use among them. At the same time, I want them to have in one volume, the best Hymns which we have printed: and that, in a small and portable volume, and one of an easy price.
3. I have been endeavouring for more than twenty years to procure such a book as this: but in vain. Matters of music were above following any direction but their own. And I was determined, whoever compiled this, should follow my direction: not mending our tunes, but setting them down, neither better nor worse than they were. At length I have prevailed. The following collection contains all the tunes which are in common use among us. They are pricked true, exactly as I desire all our congregations may sing them: and here is prefixed to them a collection of those hymns which are (I think) some of the best we have published. The volume likewise is finall as well as the price. This therefore I recommend preferably to all others.
JOHN WESLEY.
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(The Rejoice & Sing Enchiridion:edited by David Goodall; last amended 30/3/04)