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Church

CARRS LANE

HYMN BOOK.

BIRMINGHAM:

ALLDAY LTD., PRINTERS, 128-130, EDMUND STREET.

1908.

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IT i

T is needful to attach only a very short preface to the collection of hymns included in this book. When necessity arose for the reprinting of "The English Hymn Book," the deacons of Carrs Lane Church decided that the occasion was opportune for the revision of the book. It was felt that there were many hymns which might be left out, without any sense of loss, and that many others might be added which would greatly enrich our public worship.

The work was therefore committed to the care of the Pastor and a small Committee selected from the members of the Church and congregation. I desire to offer grateful acknowledgments to all who have helped me in a somewhat difficult task. More particularly

would I mention the services of some of our oldest members, whose long association with the Church has saved me from any sacrilegious suppression of hymns which have become entwined about the minds and hearts of our people. No hymn has been omitted whose omission has not been supported by the almost unanimous vote of the Committee.

It has been thought wise to alter the name of the book, and as there is no intention of offering it for the use of other churches, we have decided to call it " The Carrs Lane Hymn Book." But in altering its name I trust we have not changed its character. As far as possible we have kept in view the aim of Dr. Dale,

preserve in the preface of this revised book:

:

"I have endeavoured, as far as possible, to insert only those hymns which seem to me to be in harmony with the characteristic type of English piety. The religious life of this country, in its healthiest forms, is distinguished by a certain manly simplicity very alien from the sensuous sentimentalism which has been encouraged by some recent hymn-writers; even the pathetic hymns of the Middle Ages, and the noble songs of German Protestantism, do not express very naturally the religious thought and emotion of ordinary Englishmen. Our religious life would, indeed, be greatly impoverished if we rejected the aids to devotion supplied by saints of other countries and other times; but, for myself, I am anxious to preserve the national type both of faith and feeling; and, therefore, while gratefully availing myself of translations of Greek and Latin and German hymns, when they appeared likely to enrich the worship of English Christians without transforming its character, I have avoided whatever seemed foreign and unfriendly to our traditions and habits."

I would thankfully recognise the great kindness of the authors who have been asked to allow their hymns to appear in this book. The gracious letters in which they gave their consent will, I cannot doubt, add to the power and inspiration of our worship.

In concluding this brief preface I may again use the words of Dr. Dale: "I have to ask the forgiveness of any authors whose hymns I have used without their permission. In one or two cases I have written for permission, and have received no answer; in other cases I have not known where to write."

J. H. JOWETT.

THE VESTRY,

1

A

LL people that on earth do dwell,

L.M.

Sing to the Lord with cheerful voice;
Him serve with mirth, His praise forth tell,
Come ye before Him and rejoice.

2 Know ye, the Lord is God indeed;
Without our aid He did us make;
We are His flock, He doth us feed;
And for His sheep He doth us take.
3 O enter, then, His gates with praise,
Approach with joy His courts unto;
Praise, laud, and bless His name always,
For it is seemly so to do.

4 For why? the Lord our God is good,
His mercy is for ever sure;
His truth at all times firmly stood,
And shall from age to age endure.

KETHE.

1

EFORE Jehovah's awful throne

Be nations bow with sacred joy;
BEFO

Know that the Lord is God alone,
He can create, and He destroy.

L.M.

2 His sovereign power, without our aid,
Made us of clay and formed us men;
And when, like wandering sheep we strayed,
He brought us to His fold again.

3 We are His people, we His care,

Our souls, and all our mortal frame:
What lasting honours shall we rear,
Almighty Maker, to Thy name?

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