And so to the CS Hymnal and its Notes

I notice that the Hymnal was first published in 1898, with upgrades in 1909, and the complete reworking of the present book in 1932.  The Concordance and Hymnal Notes was published in 1961, at any rate that is the date on my copy.

 

It is very interesting how we find out that Mary Baker Eddy asked that the old hymns I need Thee every Hour (137), I’m a pilgrim (415), and Eternity (418) be included.  (See page iv of Hymnal.)  And she is reported as saying, “I wish somebody in the wide world would find some glorious music, such as our great masters, Haydn, Mozart and others, left as legacies to the world, and put the Mother’s Evening Prayer with it” (Foreword to Notes p. 169).  As far as I can see no one has come up with such a setting for that precious, beloved poem as yet.  An opportunity waiting all these years!

 

Another statement on that page 169 of the Notes took my attention: “When men first began to know themselves free to find God, apart from priestly and political interference, they began to sing!”  One thinks of David and the Psalms.

 

Well, Julie has started something – again!  On page 170 of the Notes we are invited to more study – “The Notes may open a door to study for which the Table of Dates in Hymnody offers an outline.”  Phew!

 

And, I do not remember having previously read the admonition that closes page 170:  Congregations need to practise the hymns.

 

It seems that musicians are given all necessary directions for them to “cover all the bases.”  One sentence is interesting to me on page iv of the Preface to the Hymnal: “The time value of each (minum) will of course vary with the character of hymn or tune, and, to a certain extent, with the size of the congregation.”  Gee whiz!

Joyce Voysey