The selection of illustrative poetry has been made from a field as wide as the aggregate contributions of the Christian Muse, irrespective of age, nationality, or ecclesiastical order; and a few biographical particulars about the writers have been offered wherever it seemed possible to introduce them profitably and pertinently.

On the whole, the work seeks to combine the advantages of a manual of historical authority with those of an anthology of verse applicable to the Seasons which have been already systematically celebrated-to exclude the mention of any but departed names-by Wither, Ken, and Keble.

The obligations of the author to the labours and the kindness of others are numerous; and his acknowledgments are especially due to those who have, with such general frankness, granted him their permission to make use of poems in which, either as authors, or as holders of copyright, or as both, they were interested. His thanks are accordingly tendered to Mrs. Alexander, of the Palace, Derry; the Very Reverend Dean Alford; Reverend Edward Caswall; Reverend John Chandler Mrs. Charles, author of the "Voice of Christian Life

in Song;" Venerable Archdeacon Churton; Reverend Robert Aston Coffin; Sir Archibald Edmonstone, Bart.; Reverend R. S. Hawker; J. T. Hayes, Esq. (Dr. J. M. Neale's "Hymns of the Eastern Church "); Messrs. Houlston and Wright (Reverend Robert H. Baynes's "Lyra Anglicana"); Reverend F. W. Kittermaster; Reverend Dr. Kynaston; Messrs. Longmans and Co. ("Lyra Germanica "); Messrs. Joseph Masters and Son (Dr. Neale's "Mediæval Hymns and Sequences"); Reverend Dr. Monsell; Reverend A. M. Morgan; Reverend Gerard Moultrie; John Murray, Esq. (Dean Milman's "Poetical Works "); Reverend Dr. Newman; Messrs. James Nisbet and Co. (Dr. Horatius Bonar's "Hymns of Faith and Hope"); Reverend Canon Oakeley; Reverend Phipps Onslow; James Parker, Esq. (Reverend John Keble's "Christian Year"); Editors of the "People's Hymnal"; S. B. M.; John Sheppard, Esq.; Reverend Orby Shipley; and Miss Catherine Winkworth.

December 1st, 1869.

ALPHABETICAL INDEX

OF THE PRINCIPAL

AUTHORITIES CITED IN THIS VOLUME.

[The dates which follow the names of official persons, as Popes or Sovereigns, are,
for the most part, those between which they exercised authority. A Council,
the publication of an edict, or of a volume, are each occasionally marked by
a single date. No attempt has been made to affix dates to the names of living
authors; and, in two or three instances, the same remark will apply to those
who have very recently died. Names printed in italics are those of writers
who have contributed the poetry of the volume. In the very few cases where
verses are quoted anonymously, the source is given from which they are tran-
scribed].