BY J. G. ADAMS AND E. H. CHAPIN.
TWENTY-SECOND EDITION.
BOSTON:
ABEL TOMPKINS.
1853.
In presenting this work to the public, the compilers would say, thatthey do not intend it as a rival of any other Hymn Book already inexistence; but, if advancement in the light of other good works beallowable, as an improvement on them all. Although evidently designed inone sense for a denomination, they have also intended that it shallanswer in some measure the demands of a liberal and progressiveChristianity--a Christianity, under whatever name or pretension found,that would diffuse Christ's spirit and do his works of truth and loveamong men.
We have sought to give variety in these Hymns; to have the numberample enough; and while cautious in reference to their literarycharacter, to select those of a devotional tendency, rather than thosechiefly commendable for their poetical excellence. We have intended alsoto pay due respect to the old Hymns so justly familiar with those ofevery age among our worshippers, while we have not been unmindful of thenew claimants of public favor.
It will be perceived that there is a greater variety of Hymns onseveral topics than in most other Hymn Books now in use among us;especially in reference to the philanthropic nature of our religion, andthe peculiar indications of this nature in the present age. In thedepartment of the book entitled "Triumph of Christianity," faithfulnessin representing this great truth is designed. In all instances where theauthorship of a hymn could be ascertained, it has been given. Of a fewhymns, however, taken from a copy of the new Cambridge Unitarian HymnBook, kindly handed us in sheets, it was not known whether they wereoriginal or not. They appear in this book, therefore, in company withquite a number of original ones, without any special mark thus todesignate them.
To the friends who have so kindly aided us, by suggestions orcontributions, we return our sincere thanks; and to the Christian publicdo we now humbly dedicate this work, invoking the blessing of God uponits use, and praying that it may be welcomed by many souls seeking theaids and blessings of Christian devotion.
J. G. Adams,
E. H. Chapin.
Boston, August 1, 1846.
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1846, by
ABEL TOMPKINS,
In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of Massachusetts.
STEREOTYPED BY GEORGE A. CURTIS, BOSTON.
HYMNS.