CONTENTS
Edmund S. Lorenz
INTRODUCTION
17
THE PLACE AND IMPORTANCE OF THE HYMN.
The Impulse to Sing Is Constitutional in Man.
Biblical Authority for the Singing of Hymns.
The Use of Hymns in the Development of the Christian Church.
Cultural Value of Hymns.
Spiritual Value of Hymns.
The Value of Singing Hymns Too Often Overlooked.
The Need of Emphasis on Efficient Use of Hymns.
PART I
THE CHARACTER OF THE HYMN
CHAPTER I
WHAT IS A HYMN?
25
I
DEFINITION OF THE HYMN.
Importance of Accurate Definition.
Inadequate Definition.
Definition Must Be Based on Practical Considerations.
Types of Hymns.
Definition of the Congregational Hymn.
II
THE HYMN MUST BE POETRY.
To Be Poetry, It Must Be Emotional.
It Must Have Poetical Form.
It Must Be Poetic in Spirit.
The Hymn Must Have Unity.
The Poetical Element Is Contributory Only.
III
THE CHRISTIAN HYMN MUST BE DISTINCTLY RELIGIOUS.
Poems of Semi-religious Fancy Are No Hymns.
Mere Moralizing Will Not Serve.
Special Propaganda Is Not Admissible.
Christian Hymns Should Be Genuinely Christocentric.
IV
SCRIPTURAL ELEMENTS OF THE HYMN.
Hymns Based on the Scriptures.
Use of Scriptural Forms Desirable.
V
THE HYMN MUST BE FITTED FOR MASS SINGING.
Congregational Singing Is a Pronouncedly Christian Exercise.
Meter Essential to Mass Singing.
VI
PRACTICABILITY FOR ACTUAL USE.
Ideas Must Be Plainly Evident.
Hymns May Not Be Extremely Individualistic.
Distracting Figures and Forms of Expression.
Verses Must Be Complete in Themselves.
Musical Limitations.
Outworn Hymns.
Mistaken Objections to Some Hymns.
CHAPTER II
THE PURPOSE AND VALUE OF HYMNS
40
I
THE IMPULSE TO WRITE HYMNS.
II
PURPOSE IN WRITING HYMNS.
The Influence of Purpose.
The Purpose Must Affect Only the Practical Aspects.
III
PURPOSE OF THE USER OF HYMNS.
IV
PURPOSES SERVED BY SINGING HYMNS.
Hymns Unite Christians in Worship and Christian Activities.
Hymns Concentrate Interest and Attention.
Hymns Afford a Means of Expression for the Congregation.
Hymns Provide Help and Comfort in Dark Hours.
Hymns Afford Clear Expression of Christian Truth.
Hymns Give Opportunity for Active Participation by All.
Hymns Provide Variety.
Hymns Create a Religious Atmosphere.
Hymns in the Home.
Hymns in Personal Work.
V
REASONS FOR THE MINISTER’S APPRECIATION OF HYMNS.
Hymns Are Evidence of the Effect of the Bible.
Hymns and Psalms Affected the Life of Church.
Hymns in Personal Christian Experience.
Hymns as Stimulating the Spiritual Life of the Minister.
CHAPTER XVIII
AMERICAN HYMNODY
209
I
THE TRANSITION FROM PSALMODY TO HYMNODY.
II
THE INTRODUCTION OF WATTS’ HYMNS.
III
THE BEGINNINGS OF AMERICAN HYMNODY.
IV
COLLECTIONS OF AMERICAN HYMNS.
V
EPISCOPAL HYMN-WRITERS.
VI
UNITARIAN HYMNODY.
VII
LATER ORTHODOX HYMN-WRITERS.
PART III
PRACTICAL HYMNOLOGY
CHAPTER XIX
THE STUDY OF HYMNS
229
I
IMPORTANCE OF THE STUDY OF HYMNS.
II
PERSONAL ADVANTAGES OF SUCH STUDY OF HYMNS.
Literary Pleasure.
Literary Culture.
Development of Emotional Nature.
III
THE PRACTICAL VALUES OF INDIVIDUAL HYMNS.
Classifying Hymns by Their Nature.
Classifying Hymns by Their Fitness for Definite Purposes.
IV
THE MINUTE STUDY OF HYMNS.
Analysis of the Hymn.
The Background of the Hymn.
Making a Hymnal of His Own.
Memorizing Hymns.
V
A STUDY OF METHODS OF USE.
Using Hymns in Sermons.
Studying Responsiveness of the Congregation.
Studying Methods of Announcement and Securing Participation.
Studying Use of Hymnal for Specific Purposes.
VI
A STUDY OF THE TUNES.
CHAPTER XX
THE PRACTICAL USE OF HYMNS
248
I
THE HYMN AS A MEANS TO AN END.
II
ANALYSIS OF PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF HYMNS.
III
THE USE OF HYMNS FOR CREATING RELIGIOUS INTEREST.
IV
THE HYMN AS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR TEACHING TRUTH.
V
HYMN SERMONS AND HYMN SERVICES.
VI
THE USE OF HYMNS IN EMERGENCIES.
CHAPTER XXI
THE SELECTION OF HYMNS
256
I
SELECTION SHOULD SECURE UNITY OF SERVICE.
Narrow Conception of Unity.
Broader Conception of Unity.
Unity Based on Purpose.
II
SUGGESTIVE SELECTIONS OF HYMNS.
Hymns for Service on God’s Omnipotence.
Hymns for Service on God’s Love.
Hymns for a Missionary Service.
III
IMPORTANCE OF THE TUNES.
CHAPTER XXII
THE ANNOUNCEMENT AND TREATMENT OF HYMNS
266
I
THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF HYMNS.
II
THE TREATMENT OF HYMNS.
EPILOGUE
274
REFERENCES AND NOTES
277
GENERAL INDEX
285
INDEX OF HYMNS
291
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