PREFACE.

THE design of the Compiler in the following volume had been to collect some of the most beautiful fugitive poems, which hitherto have appeared only in magazine and leaflet form, into a concise arrangement. It was at first her intention to transplant the poems of living authors only into the book; but on considering that many of our most beautiful sacred lyrics are the production of poets who have passed away from earth, the idea was relinquished; and in order to make the work more complete, the thrilling strains of Cowper, Coleridge, Kirke White, Montgomery, Mrs Hemans, and others, have found place in the volume. The greater number of the pieces, however, are either original, or by living authors. No alterations have been made in the poems in any respect; and in every possible case permission was first obtained from the author or publisher.

The Compiler has endeavoured to avoid anything sectarian, or contrary to the spirit of that sublime and sacred volume which contains the truest and grandest of all poetry; and whilst the selection will be found a comprehensive one, many of the poems have been chosen in the hope and prayer that they may prove not only a source of recreation and interest, but also of comfort and help to not a few. They are intended to be as the title suggests

ECHOES FROM THE HEART.

Among the authors and publishers, whose kindness and courtesy the Compiler is anxious to acknowledge, are, Dr Bonar, Archbishop Trench, Miss Havergal, Dean Pakenham Walsh, Mrs Henry Faussett (Alessie Bond), Mrs Alexander, and Dr M. Whittemore (Editor of "Golden Hours "); Messrs Nelson, of Edinburgh, proprietors of "Hymns from the Land of Luther; " Messrs Sampson Low, Marston, Searle, & Rivington, by whose permission extracts have been taken from "The Changed Cross;" for the insertion of Mrs Alexander's beautiful poem, entitled "The Burial of Moses," leave was obtained from the author and her publisher, Mr Masters, to whom the copyright jointly belongs; "Words," by Anna Shipton, from Messrs Morgan & Scott; "The

Day is at Hand," by the late Charlotte Elliott, is taken from the "Sunday at Home" for 1873, by special permission of the Editor. The Compiler has reluctantly inserted a few of her own pieces by request.

DUBLIN, October 1875.