PREFACE.

THE Compilers of the following Hymns consider it proper to introduce this result of their labours, to their brethren and the public generally, with a few brief observations, explanatory of their objects and of the motives that induced them to undertake the present work. To " sing and make melody with the heart" and with the voice " to the Lord," is acknowledged to be a "reasonable service," as it certainly is a most pleasurable Christian exercise. In this exer-, cise the heart and the voice should be in unison The spirit of devotion should he attended with a clear apprehension of the consistency and truth of the matter of the song; otherwise the worshipper cannot "sing with the spirit and with the understanding also." It is likewise highly proper and important, that the songs, that are sung in a Christian assembly, should correspond with the doctrine preached for their edification; or, if this cannot be accomplished in all cases to minute exactness, it is still highly improper to present a direct opposition, between the hymns which are sung, and the discourse delivered, in the same service.

The Hymn-Books hitherto used in many of our Societies possess many excellences, and contain considerable matter of a character truly evangelical. Such, in particular, is the Boston Collection. Yet this work, with some others, which have been in use, appears to the compilers to be exceptionable, and that in cases of highly doctrinal importance. The sentiments, that

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the Deity required an expiring victim, by way of satisfaction to his justice; that the death of Christ operated to cancel the debt which the sinner owed; and that God died upon the cross and rose from the dead; these, though undoubtedly believed with sincerity by those who composed the hymns in which they are found, are considered as unsupported by revelation, and unapproved by reason; and they are not GENERALLY believed in our societies. While selections have been cheerfully made from the works containing such sentiments, of hymns which appeared to possess claims to the devotional attention of Christians, those of the above description have been carefully omitted.

A large number of the hymns, now used in the Universalist Societies in Boston, have been retained. Selections have been made from the Philadelphia hymn book, Watts's, Belknap's, and Emerson's collections, and the hymns published some years since, at the request and by the direction of the General Convention of Universalists. With these selections a small number of original hymns have been incorporated.

common

While existing societies, believing in the " salvation," are increasing in the number of their members, and new communities of the same faith are forming in various sections of the country, and possessing the privilege of Divine worship, a hope is entertained, that this compilation will contribute to aid, strengthen, and animate the spirit of pure devotion. With this hope, the compilers commend the succeeding pages to the blessing of heaven, and to the patronage of their brethren.

Boston, April 14, 1821.

UNIVERSALIST HYMNS.

HYMN 1. L. M.

Praise for Providence. Mat. v. 45. Acts xiv. 17. Psalm cxlv. 16.

HY ways, O Lord, with wise design,
Are fram'd upon thy throne above,

And every dark or bending line
Meets in the centre of thy love.

2 With feeble light, and half obscure,
Poor mortals thine arrangements view,
Not knowing that the least are sure,
And the mysterious just and true.

3 Thy flock, thine own peculiar care,
Though now they seem to roam uney'd,
Are led or driven only where

They best and safest may abide.

4 They neither know, nor trace the way;
But, trusting to thy piercing eye,
None of their feet to ruin stray,
Nor shall the weakest fail or die.

5 My favour'd soul shall meekly learn
To lay her reason at thy throne ;
Too weak thy secrets to discern,
I'll trust thee for my guide alone.

RIPPON'S Coll.

HYMN 2. C. M.

The Excellence of Scripture. Tim. iii. 16. Rom. xv. 4.

FAThat endless glory shines!

NATHER of mercies, in thy word

For ever be thy name ador'd

For these celestial lines.

2 Here may the wretched sons of want
Exhaustless riches find;

Riches above what earth can grant,
And lasting as the mind.

3 Here the fair tree of knowledge grows,
And yields a free repast ;
Sublimer sweets than nature knows,
Invite the longing taste.

4 Here the Redeemer's welcome voice
Spreads heavenly peace around ;
And life and everlasting joys

Attend the blissful sound.

5 O may these heavenly pages be
My ever dear delight ;

And still new beauties may I see,
And still increasing light.

6 Divine Instructer, gracious Lord!
Be thou for ever near;

Teach me to love thy sacred word,
And view my Saviour there.

HYMN 3. C. M.

MRS. STEELE,

Praise for the Gospel. Ps. xcvi. 1. Luke iii. 5, 6.

10 our almighty Maker, God,

To

New honours be address'd;

His great salvation shines abroad,
And makes the nations blest.

2 He spake the word to Abr'am first,
His truth fulfils his grace;

The Gentiles make his name their trust,
And learn his righteousness.

3 Let the whole earth his love proclaim,
With all her diff'rent tongues ;

And spread the honours of his name
In melody and songs.

HYMN 4. L. M.

WATTS.

First and Second Adam. Rom. v. 14. 1 Cor. xv. 21, 22.

ORD, what was man when made at first
Adam, the offspring of the dust,

That thou should'st set him and his race
But just below an angel's place?

2 That thou should'st raise his nature so,
And make him Lord of all below;
Make ev'ry beast and bird submit,
And lay the fishes at his feet?

3 But, O! what brighter glories wait
To crown the second Adam's state!
What honours shall thy Son adorn,
Who condescended to be born!

4 See him below his angels made:
See him in dust among the dead,
To save a ruin'd world from sin ;
But he shall reign, with pow'r divine.

5 The world to come, redeem'd from all
The miseries that attend the fall,
New made and glorious, shall submit
At our exalted Saviour's feet.

WATTS.