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ADAPTED TO THE DEVOTIONAL EXERCISES

OF THE

BAPTIST DENOMINATION.

BY.

JAMES H. LINSLEY

AND

GUSTAVUS F. DAVIS.

THIRD EDITION.

"Teaching and admonishing one another in Psalms and Hymns, and Spiritual Songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord." - Paul.

HARTFORD.

CANFIELD & ROFINS.

1839.

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Entered according to act of Congress, in the year 1836, by JAMES H. LINSLEY AND GUSTAVUS F. DAVIS, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of Connecticut.

Stereotyped by Shepard, Oliver & Co.

THE Compilers of this volume have been induced to prepare and publish it by the repeated solicitation of their brethren, and by their own conviction that such a book is needed by the Churches. The reasons which have produced this conviction, must be as obvious to others as to themselves. It is necessary, therefore, to make few prefatory remarks.

As far as it was judged at all expedient, the hymns contained in Winchell's Watts have been omitted; because that is a work highly and very justly approved, and in general circulation among Baptists. This course was also adopted in order to furnish the denomination with the greater numher and variety of valuable and spirit-stirring hymns; many of which must have been excluded, had more been copied from Winchell.

The practice of singing is coming more and more to be regarded as an important part of family worship; and though an unusual number of hymns will be found in this department, it is presumed that those who adopt this delightful practice will not consider it too great.

The Hymns for the use of Sabbath Schools are also numerous, and it is devoutly hoped, that they may be found extensively useful in connection with this interesting branch of religious instruction.

The paucity of hymns in all the books heretofore Dulished, adapted to Temperance Meetings, has g been deeply felt. The same may be said with

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regard to the anniversaries of Tract Societies. These deficiencies the compilers have endeavored to supply.

Again, as Peace Societies are becoming more numerous, and are exerting more interest in the public mind, several hymns adapted to the meeting of such Societies, not found in any hymn book, have been carefully selected and inserted.

Another fact may be mentioned as important, especially to ministers. To enable them to find hymns adapted to the various subjects on which they treat, a copious index of texts has been arranged. These texts are also placed over the hymns.

The hymns in this book are, in general, selected; many of them, however, are original, and to their respected authors the sincere thanks of the compilers are hereby tendered.

So far as practicable, the names of all the authors are given; or credit is given to the source from whence they were selected. These are placed at the left hand of the number; and the tunes, selected by Mr. B. C. Wade, will be found on the right, and no doubt will be an acceptable addition, to the "leader of the song," in religious meetings.

To the blessing of God, whose aid was implored at the commencement and in the progress of the work, the whole is now devoutly commended.

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