HYMNS FOR CHRISTIAN DEVOTION; ESPECIALLY ADAPTED TO THE UNIVERSALIST DENOMINATION. BY J. G. ADAMS AND E. H. CHAPIN. FIFTEENTH EDITION. BOSTON: ABEL TOMPKINS. BV PREFACE. IN presenting this work to the public, the compilers would say, that they do not intend it as a rival of any other Hymn Book already in existence; but, if advancement in the light of other good works be allowable, as an improvement on them all. Although evidently designed in one sense for a denomination, they have also intended that it shall answer in some measure the demands of a liberal and progressive Christianity -a Christianity, under whatever name or pretension found, that would diffuse Christ's spirit and do his works of truth and love among men. We have sought to give variety in these Hymns; to have the number ample enough; and while cautious in reference to their literary character, to select those of a devotional tendency, rather than those chiefly commendable for their poetical excellence. We have intended also to pay due respect to the old Hymns so justly familiar with those of every age among our worshippers, while we have not been unmindful of the new claimants of public favor. It will be perceived that there is a greater variety of Hymns on several topics than in most other Hymn Books now in use among us; especially in reference to the philanthropic nature of our religion, and the peculiar indications of this nature in the present age. In the department of the book entitled "Triumph of Christianity," faithfulness in representing this great truth is designed. In all instances where the authorship of a hymn could be ascertained, it has been given. Of a few hymns, however, taken from a copy of the new Cambridge Unitarian Hymn Book, kindly handed us in sheets, it was not known whether they were original or not. They appear in this book, therefore, in company with quite a number of original ones, without any special mark thus to designate them. To the friends who have so kindly aided us, by suggestions or contributions, we return our sincere thanks; and to the Christian public do we now humbly dedicate this work, invoking the blessing of God upon its use, and praying that it may be welcomed by many souls seeking the aids and blessings of Christian devotion. 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. J. G. ADAMS, STEREOTYPED BY GEORGE A. CURTIS, BOSTON. GENERAL INDEX OF SUBJECTS. INTRODUCTION and Close of WORSHIP, GOD, RELIGION OF Nature, . CHRIST; HIS Character and OFFICES, MEETINGS, EARLY RELIGIOUS CULTURE, SEAMEN'S HYMNS, NATIONAL HYMNS, . THE SEASONS, ANNUAL OCCASIONS, &c. DOXOLOGIES, . DEDICATIONS; ORDINATIONS; INSTALLATIONS, INDEX OF FIRST LINES. • Above, below, where'er I gaze, • • Approach, thou blessed of the Lord, ..... ..... ..... • ... As o'er the past my memory strays, As the sweet flower that scents the morn, ........... .... 186 . 917 770 550 ...... • Hymn 116 489 874 521 312 369 487 481 357 563 895 235 950 58 ... 690 609 82 32 60 526 121 459 139 515 965 663 221 210 773 579 421 549 687 893 340 292 716 428 582 551 968 At God's command the morning ray, · A voice from the desert comes awful and shrill, Behold the grace appears, Blest be the tie that binds, .... Blest day of God, most calm, most bright, Borne o'er the ocean's stormy wave,. Brightest and best of the sons of the morning, ....... ... ......... 4 161 169 683 198 561 247 206 188 280 541 216 231 544 442 225 239 457 531 633 455 149 488 108 170 964 248 ........ 681 ....... 814 997 894 344 348 351 393 276 580 659 780 . 911 261 8 44 334 708 410 925 ... 726 209 |