The Denominational Hymnal
UNTIL the year 1884 the denomination used a small collection of hymns which had been revised several times to meet the requirements of the rapid growth of the Church, but at the General Conference of that year it was felt that a larger work, more varied in its contents, and of a broader scope,—a work, in short, better suited to the progress and development of the cause,—was demanded, and a committee of twenty-five was appointed to select material for a new book. Their work was under the direct supervision of a special committee of seven men who were to decide definitely upon the selections to be used. These committees worked faithfully for one entire year, and their findings were placed in the hands of the selected musical editors, W. E. Belden and Prof. Edwin Barnes, who bestowed upon this book their best professional efforts. The book contains over one thousand four hundred hymns. Among these are some of the old advent hymns of 1844, and the choice hymns of early times down to the year 1886. Each page contains one or more pieces of music, and generally every hymn on a page can be sung to the tune given on that page; but should other tunes be preferred, two or three others are cited by means of figures at the head of the hymn. Wherever the hymn is set to a new tune, the first figure is always a reference to an old tune. The contents of this book and the manner of its construction render it a most complete hymnal. It is printed on all-linen paper, and bound in the five following styles:—
Muslin, leather back, marbled edges.....$1 50
Russia, marbled edges................... 2 00
Turkey morocco, gilt edges.............. 2 25
Levant, round corners, limp covers...... 2 75
Levant, flexible, round corners, kid lined 3 75 For those who may not want the music, a book of words only, is issued that contains all the hymns of the large book, with the same number of the selections, which enables both books to be used simultaneously without any confusion. These are bound in the following styles:—
Russia, plain edges.....................$1 00
Calf, gilt edges........................ 1 25
Morocco, gilt edges..................... 1 50 The full book is also published in the German, Danish, and Holland languages, with the prices varying somewhat from the English edition. Order of your State Tract Society.