heen importuned to
s might be generally
s throughout Great
itherto withstood the
ach a publication was
arious hymn-books
ve published within
so that it may be
ous community in
ty of them.

d, "Such a publica-
is very account; for
, being poor, are not
oks: and those that
it were, bewildered
proper collection of
Tully made out of all
I wanting; and one
compass, as to be
ensive."

on have such a col-
ymns and Spiritual
veral years ago from
But it is objected,
; it is far too small.
narrow a compass,
o much as we want,
'considerable a part
we want is, a collec-
may be cheap and
t it may contain a
ary occasions."

ave now before you.
her cumbersome or
ugh to contain such
on be worn thread-
ntain all the impor-
religion, whether
to illustrate them
A 2

all, and to prove them both by Scripture and reason: and this is done in a regular order. The hymns are not carelessly jumbled together, but carefully ranged under proper heads, according to the experience of real Christians. So that this book is, in effect, a little body of experimental and practical divinity.

5. As but a small part of these hymns is of my own composing, I do not think it inconsistent with modesty to declare, that I am persuaded no such Hymn-book as this has yet been published in the English language. In what other publication of the kind have you so distinct and full an account of scriptural Christianity? such a declaration of the heights and depths of religion, specnlative and practical? so strong cautions against the most plausible errors; particularly those that are now most prevalent? and so clear directions. for making your calling and election sure; for perfecting holiness in the fear of God?

6. May I be permitted to add a few words with regard to the poetry? Then I will speak to those who are judges thereof, with all freedom and unreserve. To these I may say, without offence, 1. In these hymns there is no doggerel; no botches; nothing put in to patch up the rhyme; no feeble expletives. 2. Here is nothing turgid or bombast, on the one hand, or low and creeping, on the other. 3. Here are no cant expressions; no words without meaning. Those who impute this to us know not what they say. We talk common sense, both in prose and verse, and use no word hut in a fixed and determinate sense. 4. Here are, allow me to say, both the purity, the strength, and the elegance of the English language; and, at the same time, the utmost simplicity and plainness, suited to every capacity. Lastly, I desire men of taste to judge, (these are the only competent judges,) whether there be not in some of the

The greater part was composed by the Rev. Charles Wesley.

rue spirit of poetry, such as
art and labour, but must be
labour a man may become
-f Spenser, Shakspeare, cr
together pretty compound
meek-eyed, and the like;
poet, he will never attain
metry.

eave to mention a thought
on my mind, and which I
serted in the public papers,
ing to stir up a nest of
nen have done my brother
it naming us) the honour
yinns. Now they are per-
provided they print them
I desire, they would not
: for they really are not
able to mend either the
refore, I must heg of them

either, to let them stand
#hem for better for worse;
g in the margin, or at the
at we may no longer be
the nonsense or for the

at which is of infinitely
e spirit of poetry, is the
rust all persons of real
breathing through the
in this view chiefly, that
every truly pious reader,
quickening the spirit of
his faith; of enlivening
g and increasing his love
n Poetry thus keeps its
of Piety, it shall attain,
reath, but a crown that
JOHN WESLEY.