Sidor som bilder
PDF
ePub

HYMNS OF THE

CENTURIES

SUNDAY SCHOOL EDITION

EDITED BY

BENJAMIN SHEPARD

NEW YORK

THE A. S. BARNES COMPANY

1913

M

2117

1953

H9

1913x

Copyright, 1913,

BY BENJAMIN SHEPARD

Preface

The selections in this book have been made exclusively for the definite needs of Sunday and day schools and form a companion volume to the church and chapel editions of Hymns of the Centuries.

It includes many hymns used in the church, so that the young people may become familiar with them, and be able to take part in the congregational singing of the church service.

Special care has been given to the choice of hymns and tunes which, while expressing the brightness and happiness of youth, teach the truths of the gospel. The editor has sought to avoid cheap sentiment and a conventional and rhetorical form of weak phrase. On the other hand the qualities emphasized, are simplicity, directness, and genuineness of religious feeling.

The following tunes have been written expressly for this book: Nos. 9, 27, 34, 45, 47, 50, 53, 54, 55, 70, 76, 84, 85, 160, 161, 214, 215, 218, 242, 248, 259, 270.

Most grateful thanks are due to the Rev. Frank S. Hunnewell for valuable aid in the preparation of this book.

BENJAMIN SHEPARD.

iii

Introductory Mote

Waldo S. Pratt, of Hartford Seminary, says in his book, "Musical Ministries in the Church": "The Sunday School is generally the most promising place in which to work out progressive hymnodic ideas, especially on the musical side. The full sense of the hymns will be caught only vaguely, no doubt, but many of the richest tunes are more readily learned by young people than by adults. In the long run the general grade of a church's hymn-singing will be found to be fixed by the Sunday School. Hence, here there should be especial care taken. Here at least we cannot afford to have less than the best available book or less than the best available musical leadership."

This School edition of the "Hymns of the Centuries" is a contribution that has been compiled by practical men of long experience.

The melodies will be found to be of real beauty and harmonies of great variety and richness.

"You who wish to encourage art must do two things with it-you must delight in it and get it to serve some serious work."

"Never the beautiful and good for their own sake, but always for their service in the actual uses of daily life," was Ruskin's constant contention. "Its reason for being is to give expression to the diviner perceptions and feelings in man and thereby to purify and elevate all life."

"Scatter diligently in susceptible minds,

The germs of the GOOD and the BEAUTIFUL:
They will develop there to trees, bud, bloom,

And bear the golden fruits of Paradise."

THE MUSIC OF THE SUNDAY SCHOOL.

Music is of the highest value in connection with religious work and education.

New tunes should often be used, even if at first sight they seem difficult, the tune that takes longest to master, often wears the best, and becomes the most popular.

A new tune should be used several Sundays in succession so that the children may become familiar with it.

Young people are of an active temperament and enjoy bright and cheerful songs, which appeal to them and invite a responsive chord in their hearts.

If possible form a small chorus to lead the singing at the regular sessions of the school and have them meet at stated times for practise.

Good leadership is of great importance.

[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small]
« FöregåendeFortsätt »