PREFACE (TO FIRST AND SECOND EDITIONS) HE translations in the following pages are all new, unless when the contrary is stated; because, the object of the translator being rather historical than literary, it was more essential than in ordinary cases that the colouring of the present should not be thrown over the faith of the past. The first aim, therefore, has been to represent faithfully the creed of the hymn-writers; the next, to reproduce their thoughts and images. Wherever it has been found practicable, the original metres have been imitated. It is hoped that this volume will explain its own purpose; and it therefore only remains to state the authorities on which the hymns and biographies are given. The historical facts are drawn from the ordinary histories and biographies, German, French, and English. The Oriental, Ambrosian, and Mediæval hymns have been selected and translated from those in Daniel's "Thesaurus Hymnologicus," Mone's "Hymni Latini Medii Ævi," and Trench's "Sacred Latin Poetry." The hymns of Ephrem Syrus have been re-translated from the German version of the Syriac given in Daniel's "Thesaurus;" all the rest have been rendered from the original languages, and are commended to the charity of those whose greater familiarity with classical literature may detect blemishes unperceived by the translator. The German hymns have been translated from Dr. Leopold Pasig's edition of Luther's "Geistliche Lieder," Albrecht Knapp's "Liederschatz," and a "Sammlung von Kirchenliedern aus dem Gesangbuche der evangelischen Brüdergemeinden;" the Swedish, from hymns kindly sent to the writer by Swedish friends. If the Christian men of former times cannot be our perfect examples, since we and they may own but One, they are still our fathers; and their creed, although not our Bible, is nevertheless our precious and sacred heritage. It is trusted that the treasures of sacred song, faintly reflected in these translations, may serve to illustrate that unity of faith which binds one age to another through the Communion of Saints. If they help to raise any hearts to Him in whom alone that unity is life, the first and dearest purpose of the writer will be attained. London, 1858. 酗 PREFACE (TO FOURTH EDITION) HE subject of Hymns and Hymn-writers has been so much studied, and hymns themselves have taken so much larger a place in our literature and in the public services of our Churches, during the thirty years which have elapsed since these pages were written, that for some time the author thought it unnecessary to republish this volume. But as it seems thought by some whose opinion has weight that the little book has an individuality of its own which nothing else precisely replaces, it is offered again to those who may care for it. Some omissions have been made of criticisms on various imperfections and perversions, in order to fulfil more harmoniously the object of the whole, which was positive and not negative, to bring into light not the mistakes and exaggerations which in all ages have tended to choke or to discolour the fountains of truth, but the living water of Christian life itself in hymns and hearts. PREFACE (TO FIFTH EDITION) HIS Edition has been revised and enlarged especially with a view to making it a companion volume to "Ecce Homo, Ecce Rex," "The Fruits of Christian Life in Works of Mercy," and "The Voice of Christian Life in Song." NOTE OF EDITOR, S.P.C.K. MRS. CHARLES was at work upon this volume up to a few days before her death. She regarded it as the last of her literary labours. The title "Te Deum Laudamus," chosen by herself, appropriately expresses the joy of one about to enter upon her rest, after a long life spent in the service of her Master. The sheets of the work had unfortunately not the advantage of her final revision, and a few blemishes may therefore be discovered in the volume. October 1897. |
