BODI

PREFACE.

If I were to express my sentiments at large on the value and importance of sacred verse in the great matter of religious education, I should be obliged to write a long preface. But, declining this, I only observe, in fewest words, that, in my opinion, the design and the influence of sacred verse have not, generally speaking, been yet duly considered; and therefore nothing like a full and proper use of it has yet been made. Should we not, under God's blessing, prevent much evil, and do much good, if we stored the minds of children and young people with it?

The present little volume is chiefly a compilation from several authors; and my immediate object has been to furnish the reader, whoever he may be, with a collection of choice Hymns, with many of which he cannot be too familiar: but I

must own, that I have written the book with an
especial regard to cottagers, children, and young
persons of the labouring classes. What a delight-
ful change will there be, (and shall it ever be?)
when the Bible, the Book of Common Prayer,
some good book of Family Prayers, and a Hymn
Book, are esteemed, loved, and daily used as they
ought to be in all our cottages? How much will
children and young people consult their benefit
and their pleasure, when they store their memory
with Psalms, and Hymns, and Spiritual Songs,
which will be to them as good and delightful
companions, always present, whatever be their
place, or their employment! For may I not say
of Sacred Poesy, with some measure of justice at
least, what Prior has so beautifully said of Charity?

"Soft peace she brings wherever she arrives;
She builds our quiet, as she forms our lives;
Lays the rough paths of peevish nature even,
And opens in each heart a little heaven."

Let no reader suppose, that I ascribe to verse
what is to be ascribed wholly to divine influence:
for I only maintain, that through God's grace it
may have a mighty tendency to elevate and en-

liven, to soothe and comfort, to instruct and confirm, the soul.-Not a small part of the Holy Bible is written in poetry.

On the different parts into which this little volume is divided, I shall not say a word more than this;-I would request my young readers to commit to memory the whole of the second part; -not but that they will find, I believe, many Hymns in most of the other parts worthy of being treated with the same attention.-I only add, that my book, incomplete and imperfect as it is, will answer my own object; and it will also do much more, if it induce a competent person to draw up a book which shall, in its department, be the standard book, circulated through all the cottages of the land, and used in all our national or weekday schools.

I commit the present unpretending performance to the blessing of the great Head of the Church: and through this, may it be an instrument of good to many souls; promoting His glory, and preparing them by songs upon earth to join in the everlasting songs of heaven.

Repton, April, 1852.