This is an English translation from Edward Morgan of Elias's preface to a book of hymns by Richard Jones Wern that he edited.
Dear Reader
Here is a portion that one of Christ's servants, now in heaven, has left thee. It may be a great inheritance, not only to thee, but also to the Welsh nation for ages. The author served his generation laboriously and faithfully during his life, and he left these godly songs as testamentary gifts for them to enjoy after him.
The work shews the disposition and habit of the author's mind, that he lived near to the Lord, and that his meditations were often engaged with spiritual and eternal things. There are some excellences in poetry that exalt it in some respect above prose composition. It is well adapted to set forth the flights of the mind in meditation, especially on things that engage the affections. Poetical compositions on substantial and useful subjects are profitable to the reader. They are likely to impress the mind and affections, and to cleave to, and remain in the memory. A great portion of the holy Scriptures was composed in a poetical form; which proves that it is proper to compose observations and meditations on parts of of Scripture in the same way, if we take care that they are according to the analogy of faith, and that their tendency is evangelical and godly.
Many of these hymns now presented to the reader are worthy to be sung in divine worship, both public and private. Though we have abundance of godly songs in our language already, yet there is plenty of room for these too. The subjects of praise are so numerous, and the circumstances and experiences of Christians are so various, that it is very desirable to have a variety of spiritual songs, containing words of praise suitable to various subjects and circumstances. This book contains hymns and songs on many subjects, and explanations of many parts of Holy Scripture; it suits the experience of the Christian, in various circumstances - afflictions or deliverances. We find herein songs on various subjects -on God and his perfections; on creation, providence, and salvation; Christ in his person, offices, humiliation, adn exaltation; the Holy Spirit in his work of applying salvation, his grace and gifts in his saints.
I hope tht this book will, under the blessing of God, be of great benefit to the nation for generations; and that many will have joy and edification and God the glory due to his name, by the singing of the excellent hymns contained in this volume. It is the particular duty of every Christian to sing praises to God. It is likely that there is more singing of psalms and hymns in our country in these days than ever there was before. But every one ought to examine himself whether he praises God by singing.
We ought to attend to three things in singing - the tune, the words, and the state of our minds.
The work shews the disposition and habit of the author's mind, that he lived near to the Lord, and that his meditations were often engaged with spiritual and eternal things. There are some excellences in poetry that exalt it in some respect above prose composition. It is well adapted to set forth the flights of the mind in meditation, especially on things that engage the affections. Poetical compositions on substantial and useful subjects are profitable to the reader. They are likely to impress the mind and affections, and to cleave to, and remain in the memory. A great portion of the holy Scriptures was composed in a poetical form; which proves that it is proper to compose observations and meditations on parts of of Scripture in the same way, if we take care that they are according to the analogy of faith, and that their tendency is evangelical and godly.
Many of these hymns now presented to the reader are worthy to be sung in divine worship, both public and private. Though we have abundance of godly songs in our language already, yet there is plenty of room for these too. The subjects of praise are so numerous, and the circumstances and experiences of Christians are so various, that it is very desirable to have a variety of spiritual songs, containing words of praise suitable to various subjects and circumstances. This book contains hymns and songs on many subjects, and explanations of many parts of Holy Scripture; it suits the experience of the Christian, in various circumstances - afflictions or deliverances. We find herein songs on various subjects -on God and his perfections; on creation, providence, and salvation; Christ in his person, offices, humiliation, adn exaltation; the Holy Spirit in his work of applying salvation, his grace and gifts in his saints.
I hope tht this book will, under the blessing of God, be of great benefit to the nation for generations; and that many will have joy and edification and God the glory due to his name, by the singing of the excellent hymns contained in this volume. It is the particular duty of every Christian to sing praises to God. It is likely that there is more singing of psalms and hymns in our country in these days than ever there was before. But every one ought to examine himself whether he praises God by singing.
We ought to attend to three things in singing - the tune, the words, and the state of our minds.
(1) The tune, and the proper manner of harmonious singing. In order to sing in unison, and with melody in a congregation, tunes and a proper manner of managing the voice ought to be acquired. We should, in order to sing the praises of God, choose those tunes which are the most suitable to cherish sober and devotional dispositions in the mind, and engage all the powers of the soul. The praise is not contained in the voice and tunes, yet both ought to be adapted to the service of God.
(2) The words of praise; we cannot sing the praises of God in every kind of words. The expression employed to set forth love, reverence, and gratitude to God, which animate the soul, ought to be proper and suitable. The words we use in singing to God's glory, whether in the form of psalms, hymns, or spiritual songs, should be all according to the analogy of faith,agreeing fully with the Word of God; and those who sing the praises of God, ought, at least, to consider and understand the words they sing.
(3) The state of our minds in singing - 'Singing with the Spirit', 'singing and making melody in your hearts to the Lord'. It is as necessary to sing to the glory of God, in spirit and truth, as in performing any other part of God's service.
It is evident that the respected author of these hymns lived much in meditation on the subjects of which he sang so delightfully, He is now in heaven, understanding and enjoying those things in a manner we cannot now fully apprehend. May those that read or sing these hymns be led to live more with their affections and meditations on spiritual things, and then they will not, in death, be separated from the subjects of their affections and meditations.
Let us think and sing in the words and take care that the disposition of the mind be suitable to the tenor of the words that the expressions may set forth the melody that is through grace in our hearts to the Lord.
It is evident that the respected author of these hymns lived much in meditation on the subjects of which he sang so delightfully, He is now in heaven, understanding and enjoying those things in a manner we cannot now fully apprehend. May those that read or sing these hymns be led to live more with their affections and meditations on spiritual things, and then they will not, in death, be separated from the subjects of their affections and meditations.
Let us think and sing in the words and take care that the disposition of the mind be suitable to the tenor of the words that the expressions may set forth the melody that is through grace in our hearts to the Lord.
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