THE HYMN LOVER.

BY THE SAME AUTHOR.

THE POETS' BIBLE.

Old Testament, Crown 8vo, 622 pp., 7s. 6d. ; New Testament, Crown 8vo, 534 pp., 6s.

"It would be difficult to find a more interesting, and, we might say, valuable volume, than 'The Poets' Bible.' It should be in all libraries."-Spectator. "A work of exceptional interest."-St. James's Gazette.

"Two remarkable volumes."-Star.

"A welcome addition to the library of every cultured reader."-Christian World.

"A thoroughly good and careful book."-British Weekly.

"We earnestly commend the book."-Nonconformist.

"A work never before attempted is here successfully done."-Daily News. "Will be favourite books with ministers."-REV. C. H. SPURGEON, in Sword and Trowel.

"Nobly representative of Christian poetry."-Scotsman.

WM. ISBISTER, LIMITED, 15 & 16, Tavistock Street, Covent Garden, W.C.

IS THERE A FUTURE LIFE?

Thoughts for the Perplexed and Troubled. Crown Svo, 260 pp., 2s. 6d. ; Cheap Edition, 1s.

"Well worth reading."-Church Times.

"A book of special value."-Christian World.
"A good and timely and beautiful book."-Baptist.

CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS.

A Hymnal for the Free Churches. Long Primer edition, from 28. to 78. 6d.; Ruby edition, 8d. to 5s. Special terms to congregations may be secured on application to the EDITOR, ST. JOHN'S, WOOD GREEN, N. "An honour to English hymnology."-Christian World.

"A very good and interesting addition to the hymnology of the present century."-Spectator.

"The most notable British collection of late years."-New York Independent. "An unrivalled compendium."-Literary World.

"A valuable addition to pure Christian Psalmody."-Christian.

"So excellent as to be a veritable curiosity in Hymnals."-Christian Age. "The best selection in the English language. There is not a poor verse or hymn in it."-Dundee Advertiser.

By far the best which has come under our notice."-DR. PARKER, in the Christian Chronicle.

"In our opinion the best collection ever published."-Christian World Pulpit. ELLIOT STOCK, 62, Paternoster Row.

THE HYMN LOVER.

AN ACCOUNT OF THE RISE AND GROWTH OF
ENGLISH HYMNODY.

BY

W. GARRETT HORDER,

Editor of "The Poets' Bible," "Congregational Hymns," "The Book of Praise
for Children." Author of "Is There a Future Life?"

J. CURWEN & SONS, 8 & 9 WARWICK LANE, E.C.

God sent His singers upon earth
With songs of sadness and of mirth,
That they might touch the hearts of men,
And bring them back to heaven again.

HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW.

There are in this loud stunning tide
Of human care and crime,

With whom the melodies abide

Of the everlasting chime;

Who carry music in the heart,

Through dusky lane and wrangling mart,

Plying their lowly task with busier feet

Because their secret souls a holy strain repeat.

JOHN KEBLE.

Yet, when I remember the tears I shed at the Psalmody of Thy Church, in the beginning of my recovered faith; and how at this time I am moved, not with the singing, but with the things sung, when they are sung with a clear voice and modulation most suitable, I acknowledge the great use of this institution. Thus I fluctuate between peril of pleasure and approved wholesomeness, inclined the rather (though not as pronouncing an irrevocable opinion) to approve of the use of singing in the Church; that so by the delight of the ears, the weaker minds may rise to the feeling of devotion. Yet when it befalls me to be more moved with the voice than the words sung, I confess to have sinned penally, and then had rather not hear music. AUGUSTINE ("Confessions") 3").

Worship is transcendent wonder-wonder for which there is no limit or measure; that is worship.-THOMAS CARLYLE.

Make the Charch full of praise, and it will be full of God. God and His praise tannot be apart. "Thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel "

-JOHN PULSFORD.

A good hymn Isa mort valuable contribution to Christian literature thap, fast does of theology: for it will sing to the ages after the tomes are mouldering on the shelves.-E. H. SEARS.

PREFACE.

THIS book has been written at the request of the Publishers, who, in common with myself, discerned the need for a work which should put within the reach of the ever increasing number of persons interested in the subject, an account of the rise and growth of Hymnody in England. The large number of enquiries I have received, especially from persons desiring to illustrate the subject in Lectures or Sermons, shows how widespread is the interest in regard to hymns; whilst the difficulty I have felt in naming any one book as likely to meet such need forced on my own mind the conviction that some such work as the present was required. When such enquiries have reached me I have been compelled to give the titles of a considerable number of works which treat of the subject, some of which are out of print, and others difficult to obtain save at considerable cost.

Moreover, all existing books with which I am acquainted, either deal with a portion only of the subject, or if they deal with the whole, do so more after the manner of works for reference than for continuous reading. I am not acquainted with a single book which even attempts to give a connected

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