Understanding the culture of living with hymnbooks offers new insight into the histories of poetry, literacy, and religious devotion. It stands barely three inches high, a small brick of a book. The pages are skewed a bit, and evidence of a small handprint remains on the worn, cheap leather covers that don’t quite close. The book bears the marks of considerable use. But why—and for whom—was it made? Christopher N. Phillips’s The Hymnal is the first study to reconstruct the practices of reading and using hymnals, which were virtually everywhere in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Isaac Watts invented a small, words-only hymnal at the dawn of the eighteenth century. For the next two hundred years, such hymnals were their owners’ constant companions at home, school, church, and in between. They were children's first books, slaves’ treasured heirlooms, and sources of devotional reading for much of the English-speaking world. Hymnals helped many people learn to memorize poetry and to read; they provided space to record family memories, pass notes in church, and carry everything from railroad tickets to holy cards to business letters. In communities as diverse as African Methodists, Reform Jews, Presbyterians, Methodists, Roman Catholics, and Unitarians, hymnals were integral to religious and literate life. An extended historical treatment of the hymn as a read text and media form, rather than a source used solely for singing, this book traces the lives people lived with hymnals, from obscure schoolchildren to Emily Dickinson. Readers will discover a wealth of connections between reading, education, poetry, and religion in Phillips’s lively accounts of hymnals and their readers.

Excerpt from A First Series of Church Songs A want has been long felt for a collection of Church songs to supplement the Hymn Book - songs with a distinctly Church and religious tendency, without being hymns. From the workshop, the kitchen, and the stable, we hear the most sacred words warbled lightly, because they have become familiar in church or chapel wedded to taking tunes. The English people, for lack of national Volkslieder such as the Germans possess, have become a hymn-singing people; and the hymn is sung regardless of the character of the words, because the people are cheerful and want to sing. Of late years Messrs. Sankey and Moody, and, later still, the Salvation Army, have introduced religious songs which have at once become favourites, because the airs have been secular, and, in some cases, the words rollicking. The result has been a distinct lowering of the reverence of the people for holy things and holy words. Sacred aspirations and names, at which angels and devils bow, are trolled out or roared to music-hall tunes, sometimes by tipsy men, and often without thought. The tendency of these songs is not only to irreverence and profanity, but also to encourage heretical views of the scheme of Salvation. Justification is upheld as a sentimental outgush of excited hysteria, not as the gradual growth of a spiritual life; and this mischievous teaching poisons the sources of the moral conscience. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

This collection offers the first English translation of the oldest known Christian hymnal, a book of hymns which was compiled in Jerusalem during the later 4th or early 5th century. The First Christian Hymnal offers an unmatched resource for understanding the development of early Christian worship and piety, as well as the transmission of Christian doctrine to the unlettered. For too long, this invaluable collection has been almost completely ignored by scholars of early Christianity, having survived only in an Old Georgian translation.

In this special seasonal edition, bestselling author Robert J. Morgan shares the incredible stories behind traditional holiday hymns of faith, including Christmas, Easter, and more. Is there a festive season of the year that is complete without one of your favorite hymns? Not only do hymns connect you to great memories, but they also reveal the faith of those who lived throughout history. As Robert Morgan explored the stories behind some of the best-loved hymns, he found fascinating accounts of tribulations, triumphs, struggles, and hope—ordinary people who connected with God in amazing ways, sharing their experiences through song. Included inside this special edition are: 150 devotional-style stories with the words and music to each hymn Includes hymns for holidays including Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving, and more Jagged edged paper, giving it a classic feel Includes a complete hymn index by title, first line, and songwriter Perfect for use as a daily devotional, teaching illustration, or for song leaders and music ministers Discover the inspiration behind your favorite hymns. Find new favorites as you relate to the people whose walk of faith led them to write these classic songs of praise. Share these stories with your family, friends, and church, and find more depth and meaning as you worship God through song.

This collection of hymns and religious songs is ideal for church choirs and congregations, with accessible melodies and inspiring lyrics. With contributions from noted hymnodists Henry Sheppard and Sabine Baring-Gould, A First Series of Church Songs is a must-have for church musicians and music lovers. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

A collection of religious hymns and songs compiled specifically for use in Catholic schools and families. The hymns cover a range of themes, including praise, worship, and repentance, and are intended to aid in spiritual growth and devotional practice. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

The world's most famous hymn book has been completely revised and now offers the broadest ever range of traditional hymns and modern compositions, from the Psalms to John Bell, Bernadette Farrell and Stuart Townend. Its 847 items have been specially selected for their singability, theological richness and relevance. Organ edition. 2 volume set.