The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1867-03-13
For THE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.
."The Songs of Praise"

Publication, to the Church whose servants we
ire, and to myself, as that officer upon whom
the chief responsibility for the compilation OF
this book devolved, that the following state
ment should be published
Finding that very strong desire existed In
every part of the Church, that Music Book
for Sabbath Schools should be issued by this
Committee, free from the objections which
were generally entertained against those then
in use, the subject was taken up by me, lmme-
diately after my entrance on my duties in this
city. A correspondence was undertaken, which
became very extensive and very volumlnous,
to ascertain the wishes of those connected with
our Sabbath Schools in various parts of the
Church; and suggestions were requested, as to
the pieces which we shonld endeavor to secure.
A very large list was recommended, and from
great variety of sources A correspondence
was then begun with the publishers and COM
posers of music books to ascertain what pieces
were free from copyright and which OF the
copyrighted pieces could be obtained for our
use. The result was that but two of the par
ties addressed gave us any answer whatever;
giving us but little information on the subject,
and one of them, viz: Prof. Bradbury, gave
us permission to use two or three of his pieces.
This would have made book rather smaller
than the most fastidious and economical among
us would wish.
/ then got friend, minister ofour Church,
who was in New York on business, to institute
personal inquiry, and to make an effort to ac-
complish our wish by seeing such of the pub
fishers and composers of music as resided in
that city He reported that most of the pieces
desired could not be obtained on any terms;
that others could be had at two cents each for
every copy of the book printed; that some
could be obtained at $40 each, for the use oil
the copyright, with few at Sc EACH At any
of these prices, the book would have cost
us sum too great for any practical purpose;
and would have made it necessary to charge
for it from Is cents to $3.50 per copy, to cover
actual cost.
To this same friend, however, proposition
was made by the house of VIM. B. Bradbury,
to allow us to select book adapted to our use,
from the three books recently compiled and pub.
lished by him, on terms very advantageous to
the Committee indeed, as would enable
us to offer to our Sabbath Schools book of
excellent music at moderate price. By a
unanimous vote of the Committee, this pro-
position was accepted. Indeed, it was this or
nothing. What added great inducement to
accept this proposition was the fact that Prof,
Bradbury stands confessedly pre-eminent in
this department; and his books, all of them
published within the last five years, have had
a sale by the hundred thousand-a sale previ-
ously without precedent
In carrying out the scheme, the following
method was adopted: LIST. All the pieces in
his books which had been called for were
marked. I'd. The advice of parties interested
in the subject was obtained; and the pieces
requested by them were marked. Bird. The
most competent musical talent in this city was
called in, and the books carefully examined by
those parties. They were requested to cancel
any of the pieces which were marked, if the
music was difficult or fantastic; and to leave
nothing which was not characterized by sim
plicity Lastly, the whole was examined by
myself and two other members Of the Com
nittee, to see that the sentiments contained in
the hymns were unexceptionable, containing
no false doctrine, nothing political or secular
and no mefe sentimentalisms. The book wa.
then ordered to be put to press by the Com
mittee. Every page of it was stereotyped fol
/ A. IL a fo1 nd q,
tie same style as Prof Bradbury's own books
whose popularity in the North was unbounded
1t is now before the public, and is the fail
subject of criticism. But it is not just to cen
sure the Committee for not making the range
of selection wider; because this was imprac
ticable; and the fact is stated in the preface
Others must Judge of its merits-other
have judged; and with the exception of tn
editorial comments made on it in the two pa
pers of our Church published here, every ex
preston of opinion which has come to m!
knowledge, has been in its favor Indeed, i
is next to impossible that it should be an infe
rior book No works of the kind have eve
been more favorably received in the Nortl
than those of Mr.. Bradbury; but this book
compiled from the three, and has the mos
choice pieces in them all.
Orders for the book were coming in rapidly
when the adverse notices already alluded Il
appeared; but since they reached their desti
nation, and produced their necessary effect, it
sale has almost ceased doubt not this effec
will be temporary; for every examination
which the book has undergone by parties con
nected with Sabbath Schools in this city, I an
informed has resulted in its favor. Some VIII,
. were disappointed when they first saw it, be
cause it did not contain some favorite pieces
on giving it fair trial have pronounced tn,
book excellent. Several of the most compe
tent judges in this city, of both sexes, hav,
said there was not an inferior piece in it.
ministerial brother, from distance, who's
school is using the book, writes us that thu
person who plays on the melodeon in hi
church and Sabbath School, and whom HI
pronounces most excellent Judge, has giver
the same opinion The intelligent superinten
dent of the Sabbath School Of the First Pres
byterian Church in Nashville, A. G. Adams
ESQ, who had made many valuable sugges
tions to us which we were unable to carry out
for the reasons already stated, writes tina
whilst he would have preferred it to be differ
emit in some respects, it is the best music bool
for the use of Sabbath Schools ertant. Thu
Sabbath School Teachers Association of Rich
mond, has unanimously urged its introduction
into all the schools of this city of our Owl
Church, and recommended it earnestly to al
the schools in our own and other denomina
t;ons throughout the South. The Free Chris