—— 1808 — to the Members and Friends of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Hymn Book published in Philadelphia in 1798 has been found. It has essentially this same preface.

—— 1808

TO THE MEMBERS AND FRIENDS OF THE METHODIST

EPISCOPAL CHURCH

Dear Brethren:

You are presented with a choice and complete Pocket Hymn-Book, revised, containing a collection from the Rev. John and Charles Wesley, and other authors, of excellent and evangelical Hymns, suitable for private devotion (when you would wish to speak to yourselves in Hymns and Spiritual Songs) as well as for family, social and public worship: and we trust you will be much assisted by the present publication, in the performance of these important parts of divine service. The Hymn-Books which have been already published among us, are truly excellent—The Select Hymns, the double collection of Hymns, and Psalms, and the Redemption-Hymns, display great spirituality, as well as purity of diction—The large Congregational Hymn-Book is admirable indeed, but is too expensive for the poor, who have little time and less money. The Pocket Hymn-Book, lately sent abroad in these States, is a most valuable performance for those who are deeply spiritual, but is better suited to the European Methodists, among whom all the before-mentioned books have been thoroughly circulated for many years. But all the excellencies of the former publications, are in a great measure, concentred in the present, which contains the choicest and most precious of the Hymns that are to be found in the former editions; and at the same time is so portable, that you may always carry it with you without the least inconvenience. We are the more delighted with this design, as no personal advantage is concerned, but the public good alone—For, after the necessary expenses of publication are discharged, we shall make it a noble charity, by applying the profits, arising therefrom, to religious and charitable purposes. No motive of a sinister nature has therefore influenced us in any degree to publish this excellent compilation. It has received the approbation of the Conference, and contains many valuable Hymns which some of the former editions have been scrupulously applied as above, so the same appropriation of the profits of the present shall be conscientiously observed. We must therefore earnestly entreat you, if you have any respect for the authority of the Conference, or of us, or any regard for the prosperity of the Connection, to purchase no Hymn-Books, but what are signed with the names of your Bishops. And as we intend to keep a constant supply, the complaint of our congregations, “that they cannot procure our Hymn-Book,” will be stopped.

We exhort you to Sing with the Spirit and with the Understanding also: and thus may the high praises of God be set up from East to West, from North to South; and we shall be happily instrumental, in leading the devotion of thousands, and shall rejoice to join you in time and eternity. We are, Dear Brethren, Your faithful Pastors in Christ, Francis Asbury,

William M’Kendree

A selection of hymns from various authors, designed as a supplement to the Methodist Pocket Hymn Book, compiled under the direction of Asbury, 1808. Rare Book Department, Library of Congress