Matins and vespers : with hymns and occasional devotional pieces

Front matter

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Preface

Those Who are acquainted with a little volume written by Dr. Witschel, entitled Morgen und Abend Opfer, which has passed through several editions in Germany, will see how largely I have been indebted to it. It first suggested the idea, that a similar collection might serve the cause of religion and virtue at home.

So much of serene and so much of joyful feeling, so much of calm and grateful recollection, so much of present peace and comfort, and so much of holy and transporting hope, are connected with the cultivation of the devotional spirit, — that to assist its exercises, to administer to its wants, and to accompany its heavenly aspirations, are objects worthy of the noblest, the best ambition.

In attempting to give some of the ornaments of song to such contemplations, and such expressions as become those who have formed a true estimate of life, and of the ends of living, I trust I have never forgotten that the substance of piety is of higher interest than any of its decorations, — that the presence of truth is of more importance than the garment it weare.

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Vl PREFACE.

I have often witnessed, with complacency and delight, the consoling influence produced by the recollection of some passage of devotional poetry, under circumstances the most disheartening and sufferings the most oppressive. tShould any fragment of this little book, remembered and dwelt upon in moments of gloom and anxiety, tend to restore peace, to awaken fortitude, to renew or to create confidence in Heaven, I shall have obtained the boon for which I pray, — the end to which I aspire.

These Hymns were not written in the pursuit of fame or literary triumph. They are full of borrowed images, of thoughts and feeling excited less by my own contemplations than by the writings of others. I have not sought to be original. To be useful is my first ambition —that obtained, I am indifferent to the rest.

PREFACE

THE SECOND EDITION.

It has been suggested that the usefulness of this volume may be much increased by its publication in a form which will make it more accessible, and perhaps in consequence acceptable, to a very large class of society. All good is important in proportion to the sphere in which it acts — in proportion to its extent and to its intensity. The man who labours for the fev/ where he might benefit the many, mistakes his vocation. He who confers the greatest sum of good on the greatest number of human beings, is the greatest benefactor of his species. Mine is a humble effort — I rejoice that it has been crowned with some success. May the blessing of Heaven go with it on its forward way !

J. B.

January^ 1824.