PREFACE. Several years' experience in the Sunday School work, and an acquaintance with many of the S. S. singing books edited and published under the auspices of the Church, have demonstrated to the compilers of this work their almost absolute failure to fill a want intensely felt by those S. S. workers who have been disposed to accord to vocal music the important place it must ever occupy in the labor of bringing the young to love the Church and her beautiful offices, and in the gathering in of those who-if the Church is to fulfill her divine mission-must be the churchmen and churchwomen of the future. We would not be understood as disposed to underrate the beauty and divine influences of the Chants, Canticles, and glorious Anthems, hallowed by the use of the ages, and revered by the Church Catholic in all times. We, in common with all good churchmen, have been comforted and strengthened in the Christian's warfare, and sanctified, we humbly trust, by their use. We recognize in them all that is high and ennobling, and pray that we may be successful in imparting to the young, placed under GOD in our care, a love for the hymns of the Confessors and Martyrs. But there is an inherent desire and love in the youthful mind for something of a sprightlier character than is found in Gregorian monotone, or in the heavy measure of " Old Hundred." As well might we attempt to instruct the youth in the higher mathematics without a preparatory course in the primaries, as to endeavor to immediately create a love for the beautiful but heavy and difficult harmonies of the medieval Church. We hold that the doctrines of a visible Church, of the redeeming love of our Blessed Lord, of the sanctifying influences of the Holy Spirit, can be more clearly taught to the youthful mind by a style of music adapted to the capacity of the scholar, and elevated as that capacity increases, than by the use of the more elaborate harmonies, how soever beautiful they may be. Hence, in the compilation of this book reference has been had, we think, to all known needs. Special attention has been given to commemorative verse of the Birth and Glorious Resurrection of our Lord and Saviour. In it may be found sweet words of comfort, hope, and consolation for the adult Christian and churchman, as well as glowing words of praise and worship for the use of the young. It has been compiled for, and is respect. fully dedicated to, Christ Church Sunday School, St. Louis, in the hope and prayer that its use may redound to the glory of GOD, that all may come and "sing unto the LORD" "with the spirit and with the understanding also." Gen. J. H. SIMPSON, Sup't Christ Church S. S. First Sunday in Advent, A. D. 1876. HYMNAL. Venite. O come, let us sing unto the LORD; let us heartily rejoice in the strength of our salvation. Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving, and show ourselves glad in Him with psalms. For the LORD is a great God, and a Great King above all gods. In His hand are all the corners of the earth, and the strength of the hills is His also. The sea is His, and He made it; and His hands prepared the dry land. O come, let us worship and fall down, and kneel before the LORD our Maker: For He is the LORD our God, and we are the people of His pasture and the sheep of His hand. O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness: let the whole earth stand in awe of Him. For He cometh, for He cometh to judge the earth, and with righteousness to judge the world, and the people with His truth. Gloria in Excelsis. Glory be to GOD on high; and on earth peace, good-will towards men. We praise Thee, we bless Thee, we worship Thee, we glorify Thee, we give thanks to Thee, for Thy great glory, O LORD GOD, heavenly King, God the Father Almighty. O Lord, the only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ; O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, That takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us. Thou that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us. upon us. For Thou only art holy, Thou only art the Lord; Thou only, O Christ, with the Holy Ghost, art most high in the glory of God the Father. Amen. 1 Advent. Watchman! Tell us of the Night. 1 Watchman! tell us of the night, 2 Watchman! tell us of the night: Peace and truth, its course portends.- Gild the spot that gave them birth? See! it bursts o'er all the earth! 3 Watchman! tell us of the night, For the morning seems to dawn. Hollister, Pt. I., p. 17. 2 Lo! He comes, in Clouds descending. 1 Lo! He comes, in clouds descending, Jesus comes on earth to reign. 2 Every eye shall now behold Him Those who set at naught and sold Him, Shall the true Messiah see. 3 Yea, amen; let all adore Thee, High on Thine eternal throne; Come and make Thy glory known. 4 Yet, with mingled hope and fearing, Teach us, Lord, to welcome Thee. Hollister, Pt. I., p. 18. 3 Christmas. Hark! What mean those Holy Voices? 1 Hark! what mean those holy voices Sweetly sounding through the skies? Heavenly hallelujahs rise. Hollister, Pt. I., p. 19. |