It has been the careful endeavor of the Committee to eliminate from these and from all the hymns introduced every expression of false doctrine or unworthy sentiment. Expressions in the language of the holy letter of the Word, even when imperfectly understood heretofore, have been retained when, in the Church's truer understanding, they acquire new beauty and force; and in making changes in old and well-known hymns, the effort has been wherever possible to return to the author's original version, subject always to the requirements of strict doctrinal purity of expression. In revising the indexes, resort has been had by thorough research to the highest and most critical hymnological sources both in England and in this country. While the work doubtless contains many imperfections, the Committee nevertheless hope that the Church may find in the new Magnificat a hymnal that in both literary and musical scholarship will bear comparison with any that are in use. The Committee desire to acknowledge with gratitude the free use of copyrights accorded by the Rev. Louis F. Benson of the Presbyterian Board of Publication of Philadelphia; Mr. George Schirmer of New York; Mr. Philip Goepp and Dr. Gilchrist of Philadelphia; the valuable assistance rendered by Messrs. W. T. Brooks and Charles Higham of London; and especially the continuous, exacting work of Miss Maud G. Sewall in tracing hymns to their original sources and other textual, musical and indexical revision and correction. FRANK SEWALL, Chairman. CHARLES W. HARVEY, Secretary. LOUIS G. HOECK EUGENE J. E. SCHRECK JULIAN K. SMYTH WILLIAM L. WORCESTER WILLIAM W. GILCHRIST, Musical Editor. Magnificat anima mea Dominum. S. LUKE 1: 46. PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION. This volume of sacred song takes its title "Magnificat" from the opening words of the Song of Mary :-" My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour." These words declare the distinctive doctrine of the New Church, that Jesus Christ in His Divine Humanity is the one Lord, God, and Saviour of mankind; and this volume is designed for the use of those who in this faith desire to magnify and rejoice in Him. The collection has been made by a Committee of the General Convention whose names appear below. Their object has been to obtain a very liberal supply, both of words and of music, to meet a wide range of wants and tastes, not only in public worship, but in smaller religious gatherings, in homes, and in the social circle. In making the collection, entire unanimity in taste and judgment has not been insisted upon. While a large proportion of the material here offered is that which has happily passed into general use by Christians of all denominations, and constitutes in so far a common confession of faith and worship, there are nevertheless a considerable number of original contributions which may, in turn, it is hoped, prove to be not unworthy additions to the common treasury of Christian song. To the collection of Hymns and Tunes in the present New-Church "Book of Worship" and those of the "Christian Hymnal" and a large number of the "Hymns of the English Conference Collection," the Committee have added selections from the best of the hymnals recently published both in this country and in England; and the many kind favors which the Committee have received both from publishers and from authors and composers are hereby gratefully acknowledged. Especially do the Committee desire to express their indebtedness to the Rev. Charles L. Hutchins, Mr. George C. Stebbins, the Century Company, the Chautauqua Circle, Messrs. Roberts Brothers, Mr. O. B. Brown, and Mr. Wm. W. Gilchrist, for the free use of valuable hymns and tunes; and to Messrs. Oliver Ditson & Company and the Biglow & Main Company for the use of tunes of which they own the copyrights; all of which will be found indicated in the indexes. Part X, including music for the Responses, Sanctus, Doxologies and Canticles, has been added in response to a strongly-felt need of a larger musical provision for these parts of our stated liturgical service. FRANK SEWALL |