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The books of the Spiritual Songs Series are now offered
to the Christian public for use in the three departments of
religious work and devotion: I. Spiritual Songs for the
Church and the Choir; II. Spiritual Songs for Social
Worship; III. Spiritual Songs for the Sunday-School.
It is believed that the use of such a series of Manuals in the
singing of the people, young and old together, will at once
elevate the taste and increase the interest of all.

Copyright, 1878, by SCRIBNER & Co.

Copyright, 1879, by SCRIBNER & Co.

Copyright, 1881, by THE CENTURY CO.

MUSIC IN SOCIAL MEETINGS.

PREFACE TO THE FIFTH EDITION.

ONE reason why the music in many prayer-meetings gives so little assistance, is found in the worn-out familiarity of the hymns and tunes employed. There is no growth in the exercise. What is wanted is a wider range and a fresher adaptation. But there is no adequate chance for increase, unless the experience of the Sabbath successes can be taken into the week-day monotony..

Then, on the other hand, one reason why the music on the Lord's Day often has so feeble a force, is found in its exclusiveness as a thing of high art. It remains too far out of reach of the people. What is wanted is that the tunes should be learned, and the hymns should be rendered usable by frequent repetition.

Both of these ends will best be secured by the employment of the same Manual for all the services. Then the skill of the choir will tell on the social meetings; and the education of the people will react powerfully upon the singing in the great congregation. The advantage to each from the other can hardly be overestimated. A delightful surprise will be noticed when a piece, which gave unmistakable satisfaction on the Sabbath, is suddenly attempted in the social circle. And when the choir. ry the same thing over again, a like pleasurable surprise will be noticed; for the people are always actually welcomed by the real artists if they Ho their own part well.

SPIRITUAL SONGS, in its larger form for the church and choir, and in this its smaller form for the social meetings of the congregation, is designed to furnish just this sort of help. It has been hoped that a wholesome influence may be exerted by it in elevating the style of music in the prayer-meetings, and in keeping the range of songs used in the Sabbath services within reach.

The new book, SPIRITUAL SONGS FOR THE SUNDAY-SCHOOL, issued in the summer of 1880, is designed to furnish to Sunday-schools the same class of music that is found in the large volume and in this book for social meetings. It is thought that these three works, constituting THE SPIRITUAL SONGS SERIES, will be sufficient to supply the needs of any congregation in the services of the sanctuary, the social meeting, and the Sabbath-school.

NEW-YORK, MARCH, 1881.

404414

DEC 2 61936 Us

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