Wesleyan hymnology, ...

Preface

Feom a very early age, the writer of these pages has been familiar with the Wesleyan Hymn Book : and as soon as he was capable of discriminating between such poetical compositions as are truly excellent and worthy of admiration, and such as are of an inferior order and more fit to be consigned to oblivion, he began to entertain a high opinion of the work. He has now been employed as a minister of the church of Christ for upwards of thirty years ; and during this period, while conducting the public services of the sanctuary, or the devotional exercises of smaller and more select companies, he has had abundant opportunities to avail himself of the admirable specimens of sacred poetry published by the venerated founder of Methodism. In common with his honoured

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brethren in the ministry, and with the flocks among which they have been called to labour in the word and doctrine, he has often been instructed and admonished, reproved and stimulated, comforted and animated, while singing these songs of Zion. Many a time has he been impressed with the idea, that nothing on earth bears a greater resemblance to heaven, than a number of Christians uniting, with the spirit and with the understanding, to sing the praises of their God and Saviour. Often has it appeared to him, as well as to his fellow- worshippers, as though heaven were indeed opened upon earth, and glory begun below.

While folly convinced, however, of the superior value and excellence of the Wesley an Hymns, the writer ha,s long thought that something might yet be done to make them more useful, more conducive to general edification. There are interesting circumstances connected with the original composition of many of these hymns, which ought to be more extensively known than they have hitherto been. There are beauties of sentiment and beauties of diction, which have

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been overlooked, probably, by the great mass of readers ; but which, if pointed out, will be relished and admired by all persons of correct judgment and good taste. There are in some passages references to historical records, which greatly need explanation. As one proof of this may be mentioned verse 2 of that beautiful and sublime composition, Hymn 552 ; which perhaps is not understood by one in a thousand of those who use it. There are many passages which require to be qualified and guarded ; many expressions which, if not so qualified and guarded, may be grossly misunderstood, and may lead to highly pernicious sentiments. Truth and error sometimes lie in close contiguity ; and if that which is substantially correct and true be expressed in the strong and glowing language of poetry — such poetry, especially, as that of Charles Wesley — it may bear a very great resemblance to that which is inaccurate and false. Moreover, many hymns and passages of hymns, which may be very advantageously read in the closet, or in seasons of retirement and solitude, are wholly unfit for public worship ; and if introduced into large and promiscuous assemblies, will be likely to a 2

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do more harm than good. Perhaps it would not be hazarding much to assert, that the better any collection of hymns is, both as to sentiment and as to language, the more need is there that it should be accompanied by explanations, advices, and cautions. For if that which is truly excellent once become an auxiliary to error, its very excellence will make it the more extensively and the more permanently injurious. :

It never was the author's intention to prepare a regular and complete comment on the whole Hymn Book. This undoubtedly might be done ; and it would possibly be less difficult to write critical and explanatory observations on every individual hymn, than to compress what is really necessary to be said, so as to include it all within a small volume. A large volume, containing remarks on every hymn, would necessarily involve much unprofitable repetition ; since in many cases, the remarks appended to one hymn, would be equally applicable to many others. Such a volume would be unsuitable to the great body of those who use the Wesleyan collection ; and its price would place it beyond their reach.

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The present work, it is hoped, will supply, in some degree, the deficiency that has hitherto existed. It may teach the Wesley an congregations to appreciate more justly that treasure which has been transmitted to them by their predecessors ; and to use it in a way more conducive to their individual benefit, and more calculated to promote the spread of pure and primitive Christianity throughout our own country and throughout the whole world.

The Wesleyan hymns stand very high in the writer's estimation, not only on account of their superior character, as poetical compositions, but because he considers them as illustrating, recommending, and guarding the religion of the New Testament ; that experimental and practical piety, which alone can make us truly happy, either in this life or in that which is to come. Sacred poetry, in which we have noble ideas, clothed in elegant and dignified language, and in which the all-important truths of our holy religion are correctly and impressively exhibited, can scarcely be valued too highly or perused too frequently.

With the most cordial affection towards all who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity,

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and with hopes of meeting them all in the regions of heavenly bliss, and of uniting with them to sing the song of Moses and the Lamb around the throne of God, for ever and ever, the author bids adieu to his readers, and subscribes himself their servant for Christ's sake,

WILLIAM P. BURGESS.

Cheltenham, January 31, 1845.

In preparing a second edition of this work for the press, the author has availed himself of some additional information, recently obtained, relative to the authorship of a few of the hymns ; and has thus been enabled to make his classified table more correct. He has also introduced some alterations and additions ; which, he trusts, will be acceptable and useful. An Appendix is subjoined, containing a vindication of the Hymnology from the censures thrown upon it in a number of the Wesleyan Methodist Magazine. The whole is once more commended to the candour of the Christian public, and to the blessing of Almighty God.

Cheltenham, February 7, 1846.

Chapter I. Page

Divine Providence displayed in the Rise and Progress of Methodism — John Wesley — John Fletcher — Charles Wesley — Feculiar Calling of the latter, as the Bard of Methodism — Testimonies to the Excellence of his Sacred Poetry from James Montgomery, Rev. Thomas Roberts, Rev. Richard Watson, Rev. Thomas Jackson 1

General Advices and Cautions 263