Hymns for the church on earth. ...

Front matter

©|ap ©tqojrig^l f o.

HYMNS FOR THE CHURCH ON EARTH.

BEING THREE HUNDRED AND SIXTY-SIX

Preface

In sending forth a new collection of Hymns, I feel it necessary to preface the work by a few words of explanation. I am anxious that no purchaser should misunderstand the nature of its contents.

The first hundred hymns in this collection have already appeared in a separate form, under the title of " Spiritual Songs."* The remaining two hundred hymns have been added to the former selection ; and the whole three hundred are now sent forth (to prevent confusion) under the new title of u Hymns for the Church ox Earth."

* This edition was reprinted in the small form, some years ago, and the success which has attended its publication has led the American publisher to reproduce the present volume.

a PREFACE.

Some explanatory account of the whole collection will now, perhaps, not be thought out of place.

I wish it then to be distinctly understood, that the volume now in the reader's hands, does not profess to be a complete collection of all the best English hymns. The old familiar compositions of Watts, Wesley, Newton, Cowper, Toplady, &c, with which every lover of Christian psalmody is acquainted, are, for the most part, purposely excluded from its pages. It contains, with a few exceptions, no hymns which are not comparatively of modern date. The greater proportion of the hymns in this volume are either very little known, or at any rate are not to be found in most of the hymn-books commonly used. It is a collection of the best modern hymns, and of a few old hymns, which are not so well known as they deserve to be.

Furthermore, I wish it to be understood, that this collection is not primarily intended for congregational use. Many of the hymns, no doubt, are admirably adapted for singing in the congregation. Many others, however, from their highly experimental character, are better suited for pri-

PREFACE. 3

7ate reading; while many are shut out from public usefulness by their peculiar and irregular metres. The comfort of invalids and the edification of Christians in private, have been the two principal objects I have had in view in preparing this collection. I hold strongly, that holy thoughts often abide for ever in men's memories under the form of poetry, which pass away and are forgotten under the form of prose.

In compiling this hymn-book, I have availed myself of all the best modern collections which I have been able to obtain, whether of English, Scotch, Irish, or American origin; and I have laid no British or Irish authors under contribution without first seeking their permission. To the following writers I desire especially to express my grateful acknowledgments, and to thank them for the kindness and courtesy with which they have acceded to my applications for leave to use their hymns : — Dr. Bonar, of Kelso, N. B. ; — Rev. R, Macduff ; — Miss Catherine Winkworth, translator of the German hymns entitled " Lyra Germanica ;" — R. Massie, Esq., translator of the German hymns by Spitta, entitled "Lyra Domestica;" — the transit

4 PREFACE.

lator of the German hymns entitled " Hymns from the Land of Luther;" — A. L. W., author of "Hymns and Meditations;" — J. T., author of " Woodsorrel ;" — the author of "The Christian Life in Song ;" — and Kev. C. T. Astley, author of " Songs in the Night." I desire also to express my thanks to Messrs. Longman & Co., the well-known publishers, for their permission to insert some hymns from the lirst series of "Lyrics Germanica," and from "Lyra Domestica," in the copyright of both which works they have a beneficial interest.

I must frankly confess, that I have been unable to discover the authorship of many of the hymns which I have inserted in this collection, and have consequently been unable to ask the permission of the writers to use them. If, therefore, any living authors of hymns should happen to see their compositions used without leave in this volume, I can only ask them to acquit me of any intentional discourtesy, and to believe, that I would have asked their permission, if I had known where to apply.

The subjects of the hymns in this collection.

PREFACE. 5

are of wide range. I have purposely excluded all hymns which can only interest some one particular section of the Church of Christ. I have specially endeavoured to include those which como home to the hearts of all true Christians, of every name, and people, and tongue. Hymns full of Jesus Christ, whether living, dying, rising, interceding, sympathizing, or coming again, — hymns full of the experience of believers, their conflicts, crosses, hopes, fears, sorrows, and joys, — such hymns are always useful. Of such, the Church can never have too many. Of such, I venture to think the present volume contains a rich store.

Of the general value of hymns, it is needless to say anything. The children of the world may regard psalm-singing, or hymn-writing, with indifference, or ill-disguised contempt. But the true-hearted servants of that Saviour, who " sung a hymn" before He went out to the Mount of Olives, have ever loved, in every age, to " teach and admonish one another in psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs." (Coloss. iii. 19.) The Bible, on which they love to feed daily, abounds in hymns of praise. The Heaven, which they hope to in

6 PREFACE.

habit one day, will be the abode of eternal praise. A thankful, hymn-singing spirit has always marked the days of a Church's spiritual prosperity. It is a pleasant thought, that, however much Christians may disagree in pulpits, on platforms, and in prose writing, they are generally of one heart, and one mind, in praise and prayer.

If the three hundred hymns, which I now send forth, shall do good to the weakest lamb in Christ's flock, and shall comfort, cheer, stablish, or build up one suffering member of Christ's mys* tical body, the labour which I have expended in collecting them will be more than repaid.

J. C. RYLE.

Note to the New American Edition.

This volume was first reprinted more than twenty years ago, and was received with great favor. In the present reissue sixty-five hymns have been added, that it might contain a hymn or song for every day in the year.

New York, 1883.

Index To First Lines

PAGH

A few more years shall roll 132

A little while ! Our Lord shall come 41

A little while of mingled joy and sorrow 294

A little flock ! so calls He thee 396

A pilgrim here I wander 335

A pilgrim through this lonely world 74

Abide with me, Thou gracious Guide 268

Ah ! I shall soon be dying 52

All that I was, my sin, my guilt 38

Alone with Thee, my God ! alone with Thee 427

Amid life's wild commotion 321

And are we yet alive ; 99

Are your souls the Saviour seeking? 412

Asleep in Jesus ! blessed sleep ! 1 27

As Thou wilt, my God ! I ever say 223

Awake, ye saints, and raise your eyes 63

Away with our sorrow and fear ! 37

Be faithful to the end 362

Beloved, it is well 90