The Union collection of hymns and sacred odes, additional to the Psalms and hymns of Dr. Watts : adapted to the use of the church and the social circle, the family and the closet

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REV. LOUIS FITZGERALD BENSON, D. D.

BEQUEATHED BY HIM TO

Preface

CHRISTIAN PSALMODY combines, in the most interesting union, the duties and pleasures of piety and devotion. Its attractions at once captivate the mind, and excite the holiest affections to the Supreme Object of veneration and love. This delightful exercise heightened the devotional enjoyments of the primitive Christians, in circumstances of tranquillity and peace ; and in seasons of persecution and distress, it proved their solace, and cheered the gloomiest hour.

In this work of joy and praise, ..poetry and music appear to have been united in that harmony of interest which had been preserved unbroken from the remotest antiquity.* During the middle ages of the church, their connexion was in a great measure dissolved ; and, prose becoming a common associate with music, little encouragement was afforded for the cultivation of sacred poetry.

The period of the Reformation, reviving an attention to metrical psalmody, gave birth to several versions of the Psalms of David, and to many other compositions in rhyme, which were chiefly paraphrases of particular portions of scripture : but this season of poetical effort afforded little fruit of lasting flavor, till the time of the illustrious Watts, whose

*" Pare composition," say? a Musical Professor, "unites music and poetry in indissoluble bonds ; and so intimate is their connexion, so equal their value, so indispensable the strictness of their union, that the rules of sense and propriety render them the echo of each other."

Nathan's Essay on the History and Theory of Music.

PREFACE.

mighty spirit, kindling with the inspirations of a happier region, produced those fruits of surpassing genius which still retain their taste and sweetness.

The " Psalms and Hymns " of this truly Christian Poet, notwithstanding the lapse of a century since their first publication, remain unrivalled ; and, with even increasing popularity, obtain the common patronage of almost every denomination of professing Christians. This excellent work has created a new impulse in the churches, and led the way to very general and important improvements in the duty of psalmody. No individual has yet succeeded so eminently as Dr. Watts, in this department of sacred literature. The varied talents, however, of many distinguished writers have greatly enriched its stores ; and from hence materials have been obtained for numerous Supplementary Collections, the respective merits of which must be referred to the public tribunal.

That no one Collection has obtained very general use, may be attributed, in part, to the views by which their publication has been circumscribed : these appear to have been frequently confined to an individual church and congregation of professing Christians, and very rarely to have extended beyond the limits of a particular denomination. It seems, likewise, to have been a principle too commonly assumed, that psalmody is a duty almost exclusively designed for public worship, though there appears to be no justifiable reason for dispensing with its general obligation, any more than with that of other acts of Christian virtue, which engage the attention, and beautify the deportment of its professors, in the more private walks of life.

The "Union Collection of Hymns and Sacred Odes" is published with the view of encouraging the most unlimited practice of this interesting duty ; which it is hoped will be promoted by its distinguishing characters of — Union, Variety, and Selection.

Among the various denominations which compose the Christian world, there are none which, from their general agreement in faith and practice, might be expected more readily to patronize the same Collection of hymns in divine worship, than the Baptists and the Independents : but the insertion of a small number of hymns, which distinguish the peculiar views of each party on the ordinance of baptism, has long proved a barrier to their use of the same volume, in addition to that of Dr. Watts; although his " Psalms and Hymns" have obtained their united patronage. Certainly, the attainment of the most desirable object will not justify the least sacrifice of Christian truth, or Christian obligation : but it is not necessary that every requisite for the obedience of faith, or the practice of duty, should be

PREFACE.

included in one book. The few hymns on baptism, in harmony with the views of Baptists, and of Paedobaptists, the use of which, is, comparatively, of very infrequent occurrence, may advantageously form, for each community, a separate publication. This mode of accommodation will imply no unworthy concession — no unchristian sacrifice : and, on these principles, such compositions are excluded from this Collection, in the hope of promoting the increased intercourse and fellowship of those Christians, who, in every particular of moral obedience, can cordially co-operate ; and of advancing the general extension of that Union among the followers of the Redeemer, which forms so distinguishing and so lovely a feature of the present state of the church.

While the pleasing result of union is contemplated, the work is intended to supply suitable Variety of matter for the exercise of devotion, and for promoting the heart-felt pleasures of religion in every state of life, and in every frame of spirit. It is compiled with the view of affording an acceptable companion to the Christian — in the season of retirement, in the devotional enjoyments of domestic life, at stated meetings for prayer and praise, and in the more select circle of friendly intercourse, no less than in the public services of the sanctuary.

Many pieces will be found in this Collection, different in character from the usual materials of a hymn-book ; but all, it is hoped, will be found to harmonize with the principles and practice of the sincere professors of Christianity. While immediate addresses to the great Object of worship, and especially hymns of praise, have the first place in their estimation, to them, "whatsoever things are lovely," — combined with the charms of poetry and music, appear in their loveliest form, and obtain an influence over the conduct and the heart, proportioned to their lively impressions and their lasting recollections. Hence, the Apostle enjoins the duty of teaching and admonishing one another, and of speaking to ourselves, in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs: and the amplitude of subject, and the variety of address, comprehended in the sublime lays of the sweet singer of Israel, and of other holy men, recorded in the sacred volume, furnish a divinely inspired precedent for our imitation.

The claims of vaiiety, however, have not been permitted to rival the supenor claims of Selection. It is remarked, by a writer in the Eclectic Review, that, " either poetry is growing more religious, or religion more poetical." * The professors of religion, and the admirers of poetry are certainly becoming increasingly amicable : the claims of the one, and the

* October, 1825.

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fascinations of the other, are more reciprocally and more justly estimated • and the time seems fast approaching, when the charms of religion and the attractions of science shall be united in one grand interest, and all will be bright and beautiful.

Had the majestic mind of Johnson been familiar with the sublime discoveries and the transcendant excellencies of the Christian revelation, he would never have conceived the idea, that contemplative piety could not be poetical. Religion first kindled the fire of poetic genius, and recorded its sublimest strains in the volume of inspiration ; and though her splendors have been obscured, by writers more distinguished for the fervor of their piety than for the correctness of their taste, her native loveliness and her unrivalled beauty are undiminished. To present the great realities and the inestimable blessings of religion, in connexion with the refinements of cultivated taste, is a leading object in this Selection ; which, as a whole, it is hoped, may in some measure be proportioned to the present advanced state of sacred literature. In attempting to bring into one view the beauties of the best Composers, good pieces on subjects generally useful have been increased, in preference to multiplying others, on special occasions, of inferior worth. Evangelical sentiment combined with the charms of poetry, and ardor of devotional feeling with becoming dignity of expression, have been regarded as the chief requisites in their composition.

By the general accompaniment of the names of authors, and of publications, it will be seen that tbe materials have been drawn from numerous and diversified sources, without regard to sect or party. In selecting those materials it would have afforded peculiar pleasure to have preserved the writings of every author entire, in their original form ; but the impossibility of a rigid adherence to this course, consistently with unity of design, in gleaning from so wide a field, must be obvious to all who are conversant with such an undertaking. The religious sentiments expressed in every composition have been treated as sacred ; and the very rare occurrence of an alteration, or addition, interfering with these, is distinguished from the original by inverted commas : occasional minor deviations are seldom noticed. A few of these, which, at first sight, might not appear to be justified by poetical taste, have been- found necessary from principles of grammatical accuracy, or the more imperious claims of truth. In one or two instances, a slight alteration has been made for the purpose of rendering a composition more generally useful. This is the case with No. 21, which originated in a thought on the sea-shore — " Beyond — beyond that boundless sea." Its original appropriation gives it peculiar interest j but it is

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thought too beautiful to be restricted to a circumstance, which few, comparatively, may have the privilege to enjoy.

A tribute of grateful remembrance is due to the many kind friends who have encouraged the undertaking; and especially to J. Montgomery, Esq. for his liberality in forwarding its objects, notwitbstanding Lis interest in a similar -publication. The selection of many valuable compositions, from other interesting writers, has incurred great obligation to their respective authors, among whom, J. Bowring, Esq. has a distinguished claim to particular acknowledgment.

In 6ending the little volume into the world, which has proved no inconsiderable cost of time and thought, the Compiler has not the insincerity to avow his indifference to its reception, by an impartial and discerning public. Far, however, from being himself insensible to its imperfections, he feels that it would be no less vain than fruitless, to anticipate from others, less interested, expressions of unmingled approbation : whatever be its destiny, if the Great Head of the church smile on the humble effort, and make it instrumental in the promotion of his glory, it will obtain its highest, and its happiest end.

J. CURTIS.

Bristol, May, 1827.

ARRANGEMENT OF SUBJECTS

God : No.

The Dominion, Government, and Works of God 32—50

Holy Spirit 94—97

The Excellencies of the Scriptures 98—100

Scripture Warnings, Invitations, and Promises 101—114

The Excellence and Importance of the Christian Religion 115 — 118

Sources of Suffering and Sorrow 151 — 154

The Kingdom and Church of Jesus Christ 186— 202

Private Worship 270—273

Public Worship 274—280

Seasons of Life 4S0— 485

Lord's Supper 533—537

The Present and the Future Stats:

The Resurrection and Judgment 653—659