674 numbered hymns running headers for numbers, thematic subdivisions--p. 1-210 ; 52 additional hymns or Sacred poetry numbered 675-726--p. 213-231 : without music.

Includes indexes : of first lines--p. 233-238 ; of texts--p. 239-241 ; of metres--p. 242 ; of sacred poetry [including of first lines and of metres]--p. 243.

Signatures : A₄ B-Q₈ R₂ ; F. Pitman [publisher] also on verso t.p. and colophon [leaf of p. 243 verso].

[David C. Thomas] Editor of "The Homilist," "Homiletical Commentary, " "Biblical Liturgy, " etc., etc.--t.p.

T.p. quotations : "A hymn must be praise--praise of God--and this in the form of a song." Augustine ; "That hymns should be addressed to God one would not expect to find doubted; yet practically this rule has been set aside." Quarterly Review, 1862.

Contents [also as topical divisions and in running subject headers, with subdivisions] : Invocation to the Father (no. 1-183, p. 1-55) ; Adoration of ... (184-260, p. 55-81) ; Thanksgiving to ... (261-269, p. 81-83) ; Confession to ... (270-274, p. 84-85) ; Dedication to ... the Father (275-278, p. 86-87) ; Invocation to the Son (281-394, p. 88-124) ; Adoration to ... (395-442, p. 124-140) ; Resignation to ... (443-446, p. 140-141) ; Dedication to ... (p. 447-451, p. 141-143) ; Reliance on ... (452-455, p. 143-144) ; Lamentation to ... (456, 144-145) ; Invocation to the Spirit (457-498, p. 145-158) ; ... to the Trinity (499-520, p. 158-165) ; Adoration to ... (521-532, p. 165-169) ; Special (533-614, p. 169-194) ; Anthems (615-639, p. 194-196) ; Canticles etc.--p. [vii]-viii.

Sacred poetry : with separate title leaf and verso note : [Though the following ... not Hymns, according to the principle on which the ... Hymnal is compiled ..., yet ... inserted here because they are old favourites, and found in most ... Hymn books.]--p. [211]-231 (title commencing text and in running header with hymn numbers).

Anthems with note : Music ... may be found either in Curwen's Tune Book, Weigh House Tune Book, or Muiscal Times ; Canticles with note : The following ... taken from the Biblical liturgy.

Canticles etc. individually or collectively headed for theme, title, or scripture : God's holiness ; ... righteousness ; ... mercy ; Christ as a priest ; Spiritual purity ; Man's mortality ; Christ as a king ; Intercession for children ; [10] Psalm[s], 1 Chron. xxxix. 10-13 (individually) ; Te Deum ; Gloria in excelsis ; Supplications ; Confession ; [7] Doxologies (no. 668-674).

"The principle is ... that every hymn, like every prayer, should be a direct address to ... God ..." ; supporting essay with N.T. and O.T. references, arguments from Augustine, concerning Psalms, etc., effects of hymns on those singing them ; "The chants [etc.] are [thus] selections from Scripture ... " [his objections to the spirit of some of the Book of Psalms]--Pref. p. [iii]-vi.

"As the work is designed to supersede the necessity of two hymn books in worship, it contains a ... selection from the poems of Dr. Watts [and others]. The editor has ... made ... alterations, so as to adapt a composition to his ideal" [examples from previous editors and writers ; citation of "Dr. Kennedy, of Shrewsbury," editor of "Hymnologia Christiana, " support of apologia for oversights, quoting "Sir Roundell Palmer"]--Pref.