THE following collection of Sacred Poetry will be found to aim at no sectarian distinctions. It has rather been the wish of the Compiler to exclude all reference to those opinions which are still controverted among christians, and to advance only those great and important practical doctrines in which all are professedly agreed. He has endeavoured to avoid every expression which could give offence to the serious christian of any denomination; and thus, as far as possible, to enable all to unite, cordially and sincerely, in this interesting part of social worship, the celebration of the praises of the Most High.

It has also been a principal object in this selection to combine taste with devotion. It is not meant that there is any natural repugnance between them; but perhaps there are few persons of cultivated minds, who have not had cause to lament their too fre quent disunion. In comprising, however, a proper diversity of subjects, adapted to the many occasions of social and private worship, or in any degree commensurate with the various wants, conditions and occurrences of human life, it has been difficult to avoid some sacrifices of good taste. On the other hand, a few hymns will be found here which are merely didactic, on subjects that do not admit of the pathos of devotional feeling. But these, it is hoped, will not be thought to be misplaced, if it is considered that the use of a work of this kind is not confined to the solemn services of the sanctuary. Its influence in the retired walks of devotion, as a manual of christian edification and instruction among all ages, was deemed too important to be wholly disregarded.

The works which have in any measure contributed to this Collection, have been consulted, as far as practicable, in the originals, and many passages have been restored from the readings

in common use. In deviating from the first copies, the Compiler has had principally in view the important objects which have been stated. In other alterations, it has been his design to adapt the sentiments to the different classes of character which make up every assembly of worshippers, and some of whom cannot, with propriety, be supposed to use expressions which are fitted only to those who have made the highest attainments. It would have been useless, if not impossible, to have noted all the changes which have been made or adopted. He has, therefore, marked as altered, only those hymns in which any change has been made by himself. Hymns which have never appeared before in any collection published in this country, are distinguished by an obe lisk. [+] Those with an asterisk [*] affixed to them, are originals, for which the Compiler is principally indebted to his friends.

The arrangement in this Collection, it is hoped, will be found to possess some advantages, in admitting of an easy reference, when the first line is remembered, without the intervention of a table, while the subjects are kept sufficiently distinct for the general reader. The copious Index at the end will, probably, be a better guide to the different subjects, than any classification which could have been made.

The Compiler has met with too many difficulties in satisfying himself in this undertaking, to permit the expectation that he can have succeeded in satisfying others:

'But all is in His hands whose praise he seeks.'

To His blessing he commends the work, with an humble hope it may prove no unacceptable offering to the best interests of that religious society with which he is connected, and to that cause of pure christianity which it would be his highest ambition to serve. NEW-YORK, Oct. 3, 1820.

ADVERTISEMENT TO THE FOURTH

OR

REVISED EDITION.

IN revising this Collection of Hymns, the Compiler has endeavoured to improve, but has not designed materially to change its character. Some verbal alterations have been made; in a few instances verses have been added, and in others, omitted; and about forty hymns have been substituted for an equal number which were thought to be less adapted to the services of the Sanctury. And to bring the work more nearly to the present time, one hundred and forty-six hymns, selected on the same principles which governed the compilation of the original volume, have been added in the form of a Supplement. Among these will be distinguished some that have not appeared before in any similar publication in this country; and a few that were written expressly for this work, but so long ago, that to some of the contributors, time will probably have chilled, and to one, death has intercepted the acknowledgments it is yet grateful to offer.

To preserve the uniformity of the work, it was considered necessary to retain the arrangement; but it is

hoped that whatever inconvenience might result from this, will be found to be obviated by the new Indices, that are made to refer to the different portions as a continuous whole.

To those who may minutely examine the subjects comprised in this Collection, it may appear that too large a portion of the hymns relate to the paternal mercy of God,―to his unchanging love, as the sure reliance of his creatures. The apology for this, if apology be needed, is, that such hymns recommended themselves particularly to the mind of the Compiler; and when aware of the disproportionate prevalence of these views, he was reluctant to exclude what he felt that the experience of every added year of life would probably render less exceptionable to all.

It has been no part of the object of the Compiler, in this revision and enlargement of his work, to bring it into competition with the many Collections which have succeeded its first publication. But it was due to those

Societies that, for a quarter of a century, have adhered to it, to endeavour to make it more worthy of their continued favour; and to the Society for whose use this Collection was originally intended, the Compiler trusts his present labours may, at least, commend his grateful and affectionate attachment.

WATERTOWN, N Y. Oct. 3., 1845.

H. D. S.eval

INDEX OF FIRST LINES.

As the sweet flower which scents the morn +Belfast Coll, 406