EXTRACT FROM THE PREFACE.

THE Compilers of Hymns Ancient and Modern cannot issue this new edition of the book without expressing their deep thankfulness to Almighty God for the blessing which He has hitherto so richly bestowed upon their undertaking. The book has been so widely adopted as to make it manifest that in spite of defects, of which the Compilers are not unaware, the collection, both of hymns and of tunes, has met the wants of the English Church in a way that has surpassed the most sanguine anticipations. To God be the praise.

When the latest Supplement was added in 1889 to the Edition of 1875, it was evident that this was only a temporary expedient, and that at some future date a revision would be necessary which should at least fuse the supplement into one with the main body of the book. But it seemed desirable to those who were responsible for the issue of the hymnal that the work of revision should go further than this, and should comprise a thorough and comprehensive review of the whole collection, together with the introduction of new material. Negotiations which took place between the Compilers and a joint Committee of the two

Houses of the Convocation of Canterbury in 1892 gave further impetus to the work; and in the interval of twelve years that has elapsed it has gone continuously forward. The result is now

offered for the service of God.

The principles by which the book was governed from the first have undergone no alteration. More than once in former prefaces the Compilers have expressed their desire "to do their work in the spirit of the English Prayer-book." This has been the aim of the present revision, no less than of those which preceded it.

A good many of the older English hymns have been added to the book. Extensive search has been made for new hymns which might suitably be added, and especially in connexion with certain sections of the book which seemed to need augmentation in order to secure a due proportion in the parts.

It is somewhat to be regretted that hymn writers have not been much drawn to some subjects which might well have occupied their attention. It is often urged as an objection to Christian hymn books, that so great a proportion of the hymns contained in them are addressed to our Blessed Redeemer, rather than to the Father to Whom He brings us. The defect lies largely with the composers of our hymns, and not with the compilers of the collections. Again, few hymn writers have applied themselves successfully to

writing hymns for particular Saints' Days; few apparently have been inspired by the social and national aspects of Christianity which appeal so largely to our time. There is no great choice of good hymns, even upon subjects like the Seven Words from the Cross, or for Holy Baptism, or about Holy Scripture. In these and other departments the Compilers would have been glad to enrich their book. In some few cases new hymns have been written for the purpose.

The omissions in this edition amount to a considerable number, but it is hoped that few, if any, of the omitted hymns will be widely missed, and their excision has made room for others of greater value.

In accordance with the original design and title of the book the foremost part of the work of the Revisers has been to present the best of the ancient hymns of the Western Church in as good a form as possible. Immense labour has been spent on improving the translations. Here and there

new versions have been given in the metre of the original-in a few cases without displacing older versions in other metres, which were firmly established in popular favour.

In dealing with the English hymns, care has been taken to examine the most authentic text available. In many cases a return to the author's original has in consequence been made. But the Revisers have felt that they were preparing

a hymn book for use in public worship, and not an anthology of sacred verse for purposes of study. Wherever, therefore, an alteration of the original, which had been long in current use, seemed to them a real improvement upon the original, they have not hesitated to perpetuate it. In some hymns they have deliberately made changes with this practical end in view.

With a view to guidance in the selection of hymns there is appended to the preface a table of the ancient English Office Hymns, and also a table of sets of hymns appropriate for the Three Hours' Service on Good Friday. The ordinary table of contents which was given in previous editions is now printed with a more ample and comprehensive classification, including a list of the various headings under which the General Hymns are grouped.

Trinity, 1904.