THE

YORKSHIRE HYMN-BOOK.

BY

THE REV. F. O. MORRIS, B.A.,

RECTOR OF NUNBURNHOLME.

LONDON: LONGMAN AND CO.

YORK: SAMPSON.

1860.

147.06.186.

PREFACE.

THE object in view in publishing the present Hymn Book was, first, to provide for the Compiler's own people, and, secondly, for other Congregations, a collection of Hymns the whole of which might be sung, instead of a considerable part of the book being rendered useless, as is so often the case with other similar compilations, through there being so many hymns introduced unsuitable for the Public Service, the place of good ones being supplanted in such by others that are inferior, or less suitable for the purpose.

It is believed that, in this point of view, the present will be found to be more available than any preceding collection. What has therefore been mainly aimed at has been, to bring together the best Hymns, and those only, from other good collections. With this object those solely, or almost solely, of a direct devotional character have been here inserted, as being evidently the most consonant with WORSHIP. Such as are of a didactic, declara

tive, or narrative description have been almost entirely excluded, in whole or in part.

Such also as contain words not likely to be understood by the majority of most congregations, have been omitted, for instance, "panoply," "roseate," "prime," etc., etc.,and such Hymns as are couched in language not in unison with the plainness and simplicity which should characterize the devotions of man to God, but are framed in a manner more in accordance with a mere poetic style. Such, for example, under each of the above heads, as the hymns which begin with the lines,

"It was not, then, a poet's dream'

"Farewell, thou vase of splendour "-
"As when the weary traveller gains "-
"Mistaken souls that dream of Heaven
"In vain our fancy strives to paint "-
"Is there a brighter world than this?"-
"Is there a mourner true?"-

"If there be that skills to reckon "

"He spake, and gathering into one "-
"A soldier's course from battle won"
"Sometimes a light surprises"-

"When marshalled on the mighty plain "--
Etc., etc., etc.

In some Collections of Hymns verses have been omitted which have on every account an

equal claim to admission with the rest: these verses have been restored: those only have been omitted which have seemed inferior, for with Lord Nelson in his "Salisbury Hymn Book" "I am sure it will be found easy, with suitable tunes, to sing many more verses than our congregations are accustomed to use." The good guidance and growth in grace of our people much depend on the hymns provided for them.

It has likewise been endeavoured to avoid placing under the different Church Seasons those Hymns which though suitable for them, may also well be used at any time, since if a different course be adopted the result is either that the congregation lose the advantage and pleasure of singing those hymns on any but single or few occasions, or if they be used ordinarily, there is involved the losing sight of the speciality of the Seasons of the Christian Year. Those therefore which are only suitable to those seasons are arranged for them, and those which are also suitable to them, though not solely so, may be selected at any time from the general list, without their use at other times being precluded except at the expense of the Church System.