for all time.

* * * * *

In the following pages no pretence is made of selecting _all_ the best
and most-used hymns, but the purpose has been to notice as many as
possible of the standard pieces--and a few others which seem to add or
re-shape a useful thought or introduce a new strain.

To present each hymn _with its tune_ appeared the natural and most
satisfactory way, as in most cases it is impossible to dissociate the
two. The melody is the psychological coëfficient of the metrical text.
Without it the verse of a seraph would be smothered praise. Like a
flower and its fragrance, hymn and tune are one creature, and stand for
a whole value and a full effect. With this normal combination a
_complete_ descriptive list of the hymns and tunes would be a historic
dictionary. Such a book may one day be made, but the present volume is
an attempt to the same end within easier limits.




CHAPTER I.

HYMNS OF PRAISE AND WORSHIP.


"TE DEUM LAUDAMUS."

This famous church confession in song was composed A.D. 387 by Ambrose,