COPYRIGHT,, 1914 By THE AMERICAN UNITARIAN ASSOCIATION COMPOSITION AND ELECTROTYPING PRESSWORK AND BINDING F. H. GILSON COMPANY, BOSTON, MASS. IN PREFACE [N 1868 the American Unitarian Association published a hymn book known as "The Hymn and Tune Book." In 1877 another edition of this book was published, revised by Rev. Rush R. Shippen, then secretary of the Association. This revised edition of 1877 has for many years held an important place in the worship of the liberal churches of this country. Since its publication, however, there has been a large production of new and excellent hymns and tunes. On September 13, 1910, therefore, the Directors of the American Unitarian Association appointed an Editorial Committee, consisting of Rev. Samuel A. Eliot, D.D., Chairman, Rev. Rush R. Shippen,* Rev. Lewis G. Wilson and Rev. Henry Wilder Foote, Secretary, to prepare a new edition of the Hymn and Tune Book. On September 12, 1911, the Board of Directors appointed, to assist the Editorial Committee in its labors, an Advisory Committee consisting of the following persons: Mr. W. S. Allen, Mrs. C. B. Beatley, Rev. G. H. Badger, Prof. Clayton R. Bowen, Mrs. D. H. Ferrell, Mr. Arthur Foote, Rev. P. R. Frothingham, Mr. P. H. Goepp, Rev. E. A. Horton, Rev. F. L. Hosmer, Rev. A. W. Littlefield, Miss L. P. Loring, Mrs. E. M. Marsh, Rev. C. F. Russell, Rev. E. R. Shippen, Rev. and Mrs. T. C. Williams, and Mr. B. L. Whelpley. The Editorial Committee is under great indebtedness, not only to these persons, but to many others whose advice and assistance have been invaluable, and who have generously given much time and thought to the preparation of the new book. The book which is here offered reflects the great changes in religious thought which have taken place since the publication of the edition of 1877. A large proportion of the material included in that book has fallen into disuse, but the Editorial Committee has sought carefully to preserve such of the hymns included therein as are vital expressions of the religious life of today, basing its selection upon a widespread inquiry as to which hymns are still actually used. As a result, out of the 885 hymns contained in the edition of 1877, 242 are retained in the present book. To this nucleus a large number of new hymns has been added, with a selection of chants, a few of which were included in the earlier book. In making its selection of new material the Editorial Committee has sought to find lyrical expressions of modern currents of thought and aspiration, especially along the lines of public service and social righteousness. The Committee recognizes that the collection here offered is larger than will be needed by any one minister or congregation, but no two ministers or congre *Deceased June 18, 1911. PREFACE gations ever make quite the same selection of hymns, and the Committee has endeavored to provide a collection in which individuals of great diversity of temperament and outlook may find the hymns needed to express the varying religious impulses of many hearts. The Committee's ideal has been a hymn book which should be broad and inclusive in spirit, reverent in tone, and yet a prophetic utterance of the forward-looking religious idealism of our time. In preparing the text of the hymns for the present book the authors' original readings have been followed wherever practicable, but it has not been felt necessary to adhere absolutely to them, to the extent of rejecting all variations. It is not always possible to ascertain the original form of a hymn. Not infrequently authors have themselves altered and revised their hymns, or some variations from the original text have been long established in common use. In yet other cases some modification may be necessary to make a hymn singable at all. The Committee has, therefore, sought to present the hymns in the form best adapted for practical use. Where there is a variation from the author's text, except in a few cases where such variation is long established and generally accepted, the fact is indicated in connection with the author's name. A slight alteration is noted by an asterisk after the name. More considerable variations are indicated by the word "Adapted" or "Arranged." Where many hands have given a hymn its present form the hymn is signed "Composite. Where practicable the Committee has used the author's own title to the hymn. In such cases the title is enclosed in single quotation marks. Where the hymn is a translation, the first line of the original is given for convenience of reference. Where the hymn is clearly based upon some passage in the Scriptures, that fact is indicated in the title. Titles not included among the above have been assigned by the editors of the book. The dates affixed to hymns and tunes are those of composition when known, otherwise of first publication. The edition of 1877 contained 300 tunes, of which 102 are retained in the present book. The Committee has endeavored to preserve the familiar association of hymn and tune wherever such actually exists, though associations do, as a matter of fact, vary a good deal according to locality and usage. The Committee has retained all the old tunes which are known to be widely cherished, and has commonly set the new tunes to the new hymns, besides making a large provision for the use of alternative tunes. While the book contains a few tunes available only, or chiefly, for choir use, the Committee has endeavored primarily to produce a book adapted to congregational singing. The book is offered to all who love perfect liberty in pure religion, with the prayer that within its covers may be found for our age some worthy utterance of the faith and hope and aspiration which in the days of our fathers uplifted the heart of the Church Universal in immortal song. BOSTON, February 2, 1914. |