The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-12-29
For THE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.
OUR NEW HYMN BOOK.

propose to enter into no criticism upon
the most excellent collections of Psalms and
Hymns, compiled as the result of patient
and pains-taking labor of the Assembly's
Committee- Take it as whole, it is in my
Judgment the best Hymn Book FOR public and
private worship that has ever been presented
to the churches. Many of our older MEM
bers may mildly shake their heads, and say,
s'the old is better" Possibly if the rich
new wine of this vintage were put into the
old bottles they might burst With the mel
lowing influence of time and hallowed asso-
citation, this book must become as dear to
the hearts of Gods people as Rouse, Watts
with its cumbersome arrangement, or the old
Village Hymns. Already some of the new
hymns have become general favorites; such
as, "Nearer my God to Thee, by Miss Ad-
ans; "Just as AM" by Miss Elliott;
Jesus these eyes have never seen" by Ray
Palmer; "Jesus the very thought of Thee, "
translation of the famous Latin Hymn of
Bernard of Cheny, by Ray Palmer, be-
heve; "Sun of my soul, Thou Saviour
DEAR" by Keble; and many by Gerardt,
Bonar and others. Some of the old
favorites, the first lines of which we miss in
the index, may be found decapitated, and
if we could divest ourselves of association
improved. Such hymns for instance as,
"Beware of Peters Word" "My soul, come
mediate the day." "Where death appears
before my sight, we find in the New Book
as " Mans wisdom is to seek, " 20 could we
die with those that die" go for the eye of
faith divine" AS illustrating the improve
ment made in such changes, l will mention
that worthy Christian woman, belonging to
that excellent and efficient class,-as all
ministers will testify--commonly dubbed ''old
maids, who is perfectly carried away with
the New Hymn Book, pointed out to me as
one of the richest of the new gems added to
the cluster, the 629th. She was of course
amazed when showed her the 61Sth of the
old book,
1t is observed, too, lately, that the children
have become very fond of this collection,
This may be in part as has been suggested
to me, because among the hymns to be com
nitted there are so many short ones, and be-
cause there is no Shorter Catechism.
rather think it is because the little ones have
not been forgotten, and that there are some
hymns specially suited to them. As ha;
been suggested by judicatories and papers Ot
the Church, let the children be taught to use
the book in Sabbath schools, and such hymns
as those adapted for Sabbath schools anC
those with chOruses be sung and memorized
They will become golden cords fastening
their young affections to the book, the churcf
and public worship.
After this general and hearty commenda
ton may say, lest it may be supposed
am swept away by fancy for something
new, that in all its changes of verbiage, Omis
siOns and additions, l do not coincide.
would have been satisfied with one hundre'
and fifty hymns, provided l had chosen them
but then others might not have been. So
| intend no criticism, but cordially yield m.
taste to the Judgment of the Committee an
of the Church. For it is amazing to not
the general and increasing favor with whic
this book has met, and the strong hold upol