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AN ILLUSTRATED AND ANNOTATED EDITION

OF THE

HYMNAL

OF THE

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

BY

REV. CHARLES S. NUTTER, D.D.

FOURTH EDITION.

NEW YORK: EATON & MAINS.
CINCINNATI: JENNINGS & PYE.

1900.

415

Copyright 1884, by

PHILLIPS & HUNT,

805 Broadway, New York.

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PREFACE.

This Hymnal is intended for the home, the pastor's study, and the layman's

center-table.

I have undertaken to give :

First. A biographical sketch of each author and translator-of whom there are more than three hundred.

Second. The origin and history of the hymn, with such reliable matters of interest concerning it as could be gathered.

Third. The original title and text, where the hymn has been altered.
Fourth. The passage of Scripture upon which the hymn is based.

Fifth. The book, paper, or magazine in which the hymn first appeared, with the date of its publication.

Information has been chiefly derived from original sources by reference to the published works of the authors, many of which are rare and difficult to find; and by correspondence with writers who are still living. Where information has been obtained from other sources, the author or book relied upon has received due credit.

The authorship of a few of the "unknown" hymns has not been discovered. The personal history of some hymn-writers is very meager, indeed, and doubtless some interesting historic facts have wholly escaped the editor's notice.

I dare not say that there are no mistakes in this work, but neither care nor labor has been spared to avoid them. Hundreds of books have been examined, and much time has been spent in its preparation.

The lover of devotional poetry is in the most delightful company. Valuable hymns are the product of genius, piety, and learning. It is safe to say that no good hymn was ever written by an author who did not possess at least one of these talents. Many writers are favored with two of them, and some with all three. The student of hymns is, therefore, cultivating head, heart, and tongue at the same time. It is to be feared that this most valuable

study is too much neglected, and, if this book shall stimulate to greater appreciation and love for this department of literature, one great object of the work will be accomplished.

I desire to express my great obligation to the many editors and authors who have so kindly replied to my letters of inquiry; and especially to Mr. David Creamer, of Baltimore; and Professor F. M. Bird, of Lehigh University; also to the Rev. James Martineau, D.D., George J. Stevenson, M.A., and Mr. W. T. Brooke, of London, for valuable assistance.

I wish also to mention the name of a man no longer living, but whose work remains, and will always be a help to the student of hymnology, Mr. Daniel Sedgwick, of London.

I trust that this work will be of some service to the cause of God among

men.

TILTON, N. H., Feb. 15, 1884.

CHARLES S. NUTTER.

The author has received many letters from scholarly and devout men testifying to their high appreciation of Hymn Studies. The gratitude of pious hearts is indeed precious.

The work has been carefully revised, and a brief but important History of the Official Hymn Book appended. See page 476.

HAVERHILL, MASS., July, 1888.

C. S. N.

PREFACE TO THE THIRD EDITION.

It is gratifying to witness the revival of interest in the grand old hymns of the Church. This book has been one of the means to that end. It has been thoroughly revised once more, brought up to date, and again sent forth with the hope that by its use the hymns may be better understood and the men who wrote them better appreciated. "Sing ye praises with understanding." —Psalm xlvii, 7.

ST. ALBANS, VT., April, 1897.

C. S. N.

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