The Christian Hymn Book A Compilation of Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs, Original and Selected, by A. Campbell and Others

MIAMI PRINTING COMPANY, Printers, Stereotypers, and Binders, WEST EIGHTH ST., NEAR MAIN.

INTRODUCTION.

This Hymn Book is the result of an agreement between Alexander Campbell—the former proprietor of the Christian Hymn Book—and the Christian brotherhood at large, as represented in the American Christian Missionary Society. At the annual meeting of the Society, in 1864, an overture was made by Mr. Campbell, of the copy-right of the Christian Hymn Book, to be held by certain brethren, in trust, on two conditions: 1. That a committee be mutually agreed on by himself and the Society, to revise and enlarge the book, so as to meet the general wishes of the brotherhood of Disciples; 2. That the profits arising from the sale of the book be given to the A. C. M. S. This overture was accepted, and the Committee of Revision was immediately appointed. That Committee, having fulfilled their task, now present the fruit of their labors to the public.

It will be seen that, while the former book was made the basis of this, the work of revision and enlargement has been made as thorough as possible. Still, comparatively few hymns have been expunged. After making as complete an exploration as our time would allow, of the realms of Christian Hymnology, we were more than ever convinced of the value of the labor, judgment, and taste, displayed in the compilation of the book we have so long used and cherished. We have met with no book of equal size, that possesses equal merit. The principal changes we have made, are:

1.—A new classification of subjects—increasing the facility of reference to hymns on the various subjects of song.

2.—An unbroken series of numbers to the hymns, which, while it necessitates the abolition of the formal distinction between Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs, enables us to avoid the confusion that constantly grew out of the three series of numbers, which the former classification required.

3.—The numbering of the stanzas of every hymn, for easy reference, when any stanza is omitted in singing.

4.—An arrangement of meters, under every heading.

5.—A greatly enlarged number and variety of hymns, suited to the diversified wants of personal, social, and public devotion.

We take pleasure in acknowledging our indebtedness to numerous brethren, for counsel and assistance; especially to Elder William Baxter, whose collected material and original contributions have been cheerfully placed at our disposal.

While we have admitted a few original hymns, prepared expressly for this work, the additions have been made mostly from the old authors, or from the new resources furnished by the living authors of our own and other lands. It is believed that the work is brought fully up to the resources and demands of the present time.

Knowing that in Christian families, the Hymn Book is generally the most popular book of sacred poetry, and, not seldom, the sole resource of the family in that department, we have felt the importance of a large variety of the choicest lyrical productions that our language affords. We have done what our time and means would allow, toward this end. We hope that it may minister to the comfort, strength, and purity of the Church of God; throw over many a hearth-stone, and many a weary pilgrim-path, the sweet radiance of heavenly song; and give fresh encouragement to the cultivation of all pious sentiments and emotions, alike in the closet, the family, the prayer-meeting, and the public assembly.

ISAAC ERRETT, W. K. PENDLETON, W. T. MOORE, T. M. ALLEN, A. S. HAYDEN.

Cincinnati, O., August 7, 1865.

THE HOLY SCRIPTURES.

1 L. M. The works and the word of God. Psalm 19.

The heavens declare thy glory, Lord! In every star thy wisdom shines; But when our eyes behold thy word, We read thy name in fairer lines.

2 The rolling sun, the changing light, And nights and days, thy power confess; But the blest volume thou hast writ, Reveals thy justice and thy grace.

3 Sun, moon, and stars, convey thy praise Round the whole earth, and never stand; So when thy truth began its race, It touched and glanced on every land.

4 Nor shall thy spreading gospel rest Till through the world thy truth has run; Till Christ has all the nations blest That see the light, or feel the sun.

5 Great Sun of Righteousness! arise; Bless the dark world with heavenly light: Thy gospel makes the simple wise, Thy laws are pure, thy judgments right.

6 Thy noblest wonders here we view, In souls renewed, and sins forgiven; Lord! cleanse my sins, my soul renew, And make thy word my guide to heaven.

2 L. M. Divine love displayed, etc.

To thee my heart, Eternal King! Would now its thankful tribute bring, To thee its humble homage raise In songs of ardent, grateful praise.

2 All nature shows thy boundless love, In worlds below and worlds above; But in thy blesséd word I trace The richer glories of thy grace.

3 There what delightful truths are given; There Jesus shows the way to heaven; His name salutes my listening ear, Revives my heart and checks my fear.

4 There Jesus bids our sorrows cease, And gives the laboring conscience peace; Raises our grateful feelings high, And points to mansions in the sky.

5 For love like this, O, may our song Through endless years thy praise prolong; And distant climes thy name adore, Till time and nature are no more!

3 L. M. Nature and revelation.

The starry firmament on high, And all the glories of the sky, Yet shine not to thy praise, O Lord, So brightly as thy written word.

2 The hopes that holy word supplies, Its truths divine and precepts wise— In each a heavenly beam I see, And every beam conducts to thee.

3 Almighty Lord! the sun shall fail, The moon forget her nightly tale, And deepest silence hush on high The radiant chorus of the sky—

4 But fixed for everlasting years, Unmoved amid the wreck of spheres, Thy word shall shine in cloudless day When heaven and earth have passed away.

4 L. M. Strength and peace from the divine word.

There is a stream whose gentle flow Supplies the city of our God; Life, love, and joy, still gliding through, And watering our divine abode.

2 That sacred stream, thy holy word, Supports our faith, our fear controls; Sweet peace thy promises afford, And give new strength to fainting souls.

5 L. M. The Scriptures our light and guide.

When Israel through the desert passed, A fiery pillar went before, To guide them through the dreary waste, And lessen the fatigues they bore.

2 Such is thy glorious word, O God; ’Tis for our light and guidance given; It sheds a luster all abroad, And points the path to bliss and heaven.

3 It fills the soul with sweet delight, And quickens its inactive powers; It sets our wandering footsteps right, Displays thy love and kindles ours.