reface. ACRED SONGS have proved a solace to the sorrowful, and a comfort to the weary, 'in the house of their pilgrimage;' but there are few modern compositions worthy of the name. Religion seems a theme too vast for the highest poetic inspiration, apart from the divine; hence the greatest masters of modern verse have in vain essayed the Sacred Lyre. With a few remarkable exceptions, the most distinguished British poets have failed while attempting spiritual themes, or have succeeded only in producing one or two pieces worthy of their Muse. Often in proportion to the fervour of the writer, or the earnestness of his sentiments, has his poetry been lacking in the essential elements of strength and power. In this little work an attempt has been made-and the Editor hopes, with some measure of success- -to present, in a convenient and portable form, the gems of British Sacred Minstrelsy. The Editor has culled from a wide field; and, in making his selections, he has scrupulously avoided sacrificing poetry for sentiment, or adopting Index to First Lines. A heavenly voice is falling, Ah many a saddening sight we see, Art thou weary of the struggle? Awake, my soul, and with the sun, 257 228 236 185 244 15 Awake, my soul! lift up thine eyes, 43 Awake, sweet harp of Judah, wake, 99 Be glad, ye heavens, thou earth rejoice, . 91 Bind ye the cypress, fair daughters of Sion, 208 Page Blinded in youth by Satan's arts, 10 Bound upon the accursed tree, 145 Brightest and best of the sons of the morning, 186 Come forth, ye wandering children, all, . 190 18 Contemplate, saints, the source divine, Dweller in heaven high, Ruler below! Fair shines the moon, Jerusalem, 82 122 64 222 31 119 219 157 Go, call for the mourners, and raise the lament, 61 Page He who on earth as man was known, 29 He who would win a warrior's fame, 93 Her heart was in heaven, and she cared not for earth, 202 High peace to the soul of the dead, 140 Ho! Zion, awake, and come forth like a bride, 277 How bright these glorious spirits shine, 53 129 How pleasant to me thy deep blue wave, 137 26 23 I have seen all the pleasures of hoarded up treasures, . 38 In the morning of life, when its sweet sunny smile, 124 |