2. But it has been answered, "Such a publication is highly needful upon this very account: for the greater part of the people, being poor, are not able to purchase so many books; and those that have purchased them are, as it were, bewildered in the immense variety. A proper Collection of hymns for general use, carefully made out of all these books, is therefore still wanting; and one comprised in so moderate a compass, as to be neither cumbersome nor expensive."

3. It has been replied, "You have such a Collection already, (entitled 'Hymns and Spiritual Songs') which I extracted several years ago from a variety of hymn-books." But it is objected, "This is in the other extreme: it is far too small. It does not, it cannot, in so narrow a compass, contain variety enough; not so much as we want, among whom singing makes so considerable a part of the public service. What we want is, a Collection not too large, that it may be cheap and portable; nor too small, that it may contain a sufficient variety for all ordinary occasions."

4. Such a Hymn-Book you have now before you. It is not so large as to be either cumbersome or expensive; and it is large enough to contain such a variety of hymns as will not soon be worn threadbare. It is large enough to contain all the important truths of our most holy religion, whether speculative or practical; yea, to illustrate them all and to prove them both by Scripture and reason; and this is done in a regular order. The hymns are not carelessly jumbled together, but carefully ranged under proper heads, according to the experience of real Christians. So that this book is, in effect, a little body of experimental and practical divinity.

5. As but a small part of these hymns is of my own composing, I do not think it inconsistent with modesty to declare, that I am persuaded no such hymn-book as this has yet been published in the English language. In what other publication of the kind have you so distinct and full an account of scriptural Christianity? Such a declaration of the heights and depths of religion, speculative and practical? so strong cautions against the most plausible errors; particularly those that are now most prevalent? and so clear directions for making your calling and election sure; for perfecting holiness in the fear of God?

6. May I be permitted to add a few words with regard to the poetry? Then I will speak to those who are judges thereof, with all freedom and unreserve. To these I may say, without offence, 1. In these hymns there is no doggerel; no botches; nothing put in to patch up the rhyme; no feeble expletives. 2. Here is nothing turgid or bombast, on the one hand, or low and creeping, on the other. 3. Here are no cant expressions; no words without meaning. Those who impute this to us know not what they say. We talk common sense, both in prose and verse, and use no word but in a fixed and determinate sense. 4. Here are, allow me to say, both the purity, the strength, and the elegance of the English language; and, at the same time, the utmost simplicity and plainness, suited to every capacity. Lastly, I desire men of taste to judge, (these are the only competent judges) whether there be not in some of the following hymns the true spirit of poetry, such as cannot be acquired by art and labour, but must be the gift of nature. By labour a man may become a tolerable imitator of Spencer, Shakespeare, or Milton; and may heap together pretty compound epithets, as "pale-eyed," "meek-eyed," and the like; but unless he be born a poet, he will never attain the genuine spirit of poetry.

7. And here I beg leave to mention a thought which has been long upon my mind, and which I should long ago have inserted in the public papers, had I not been unwilling to stir up a nest of hornets. Many gentlemen have done my brother and me (though without naming us) the honour to reprint many of our Hymns. Now they are perfectly welcome so to do, provided they print them just as they are. But I desire they would not attempt to mend them; for they really are not able. None of them is able to mend either the sense or the verse. Therefore, I must beg of them one of these two favours; either to let them stand just as they are, to take them for better for worse; or to add the true reading in the margin, or at the bottom of the page; that we may no longer be accountable either for the nonsense or for the doggerel of other men.

8. But to return. That which is of infinitely more moment than the spirit of poetry, is the spirit of piety. And I trust, all persons of real judgment will find this breathing through the whole Collection. It is in this view chiefly, that I would recommend it to every truly pious reader, as a means of raising or quickening the spirit of devotion; of confirming his faith; of enlivening his hope; and of kindling and increasing his love to God and man. When Poetry thus keeps its place, as the handmaid of Piety, it shall attain, not a poor perishable wreath, but a crown that fadeth not away.

JOHN WESLEY. London, Oct. 20, 1779.

N.B. The Hymns distinguished by the prefix of an asterisk were not in the editions published during the life of Mr. Wesley.

The New Supplement to "A Collection of Hymns for the use of the People called Methodists," originally published by John Wesley in 1780, has been compiled under the direction of a Committee appointed by the Conference in 1874.

The "Collection" of 1780 has been circulated by millions, and has been recognised as a priceless treasure, not only by Methodists, but by many other disciples of the One Master. As a testimony to Scripture doctrine and Christian experience, as a monument of piety, a manual of devotion, and a bond of fellowship, it can never cease to be precious to all who cherish the spirit of its authors, and wish well to that revival of religion of which they were the instruments; while, in instances almost innumerable, personal associations have invested portions of its contents with tender, and even sacred interest.

The Conference therefore determined that it should be retained in use, and, while generally revised, should undergo no alteration which would affect its substance or impair its identity. But as altered circumstances, often resulting from the growth of the Connexion, and occasions repeatedly arising in public, social, and domestic life have rendered additional hymns necessary, an attempt has been made to meet the want which has been long felt, and which was by no means adequately provided for by the valuable Supplement published about forty-five years since.

In this compilation the necessities of public worship have been first considered; and it is hoped that an ample supply of compositions suitable for mixed congregations is here furnished. In addition to hymns of adoration and thanksgiving, there will be found seventy versions of Psalms, or parts of Psalms (besides those contained in the former Supplement) by means of which that portion of Holy Scripture, which has supplied so large a share of the devotional exercises of Christians generally, will become more fully available for the use of Methodists than it has been for a long time past. Many poems of Charles Wesley also, which up to a late period only existed in manuscript, are now for the first time presented for congregational use; and by the force and sublimity of thought, the depth and tenderness of feeling, and the spirit of fervent piety displayed in them, will fully vindicate the judgment of John Wesley respecting his brother's poetical remains. Well does it become all the lovers of Scriptural Christianity, but especially the Methodists, to be thankful to the Author of every good gift for the endowments and labours of Charles Wesley, which were so long and faithfully consecrated to the promotion of vital and experimental religion, and by which that "power of godliness" which it is the mission of Methodism to spread, has been alike exemplified and vindicated. The full extent to which these labours have been rendered serviceable to the cause of Christ can only be known in the day when all secret things shall be revealed.

The Spirit of its living Head having never departed from the Church, it follows that those in all ages who by the Holy Ghost have called Jesus Lord should have been occupied with attempts to set forth His praise. As in the old time they still "prophesy and do not cease," so that our age is richer in good hymns than any that have gone before it. The Committee have been glad to avail themselves of the labours of both contemporaries and predecessors, and accordingly the present volume is enriched by a selection from the works of modern hymnologists as well as from the accumulated treasures of the past. The names of authors as presented in the "Index of First Lines," will help to exemplify the substantial unity existing between all believers in Christ, notwithstanding the many causes which at present hinder its full manifestation to the world.

It may be proper to add that the Committee, while mainly desirous to provide by this Supplement for the wants of congregations, have not restricted themselves to that object. The people called Methodists were supposed by their Founder to have many uses for good hymns besides singing them in public assemblies; and he selected for them accordingly. Here also will be found some adapted to personal and private, rather than to collective worship, or to praising the Lord "secretly among the faithful," rather than "in the congregation;" but none, it is hoped, which will not minister "to exhortation, edification, or comfort:" and for these objects they humbly invoke the blessing of God upon their work.

The Committee offer respectful thanks to the authors and publishers concerned, for permission courteously given to use hymns in which they have a copyright. A list of these, as far as known, is given below. If they have in any instance failed to seek for permission where they ought to have done so, such omission has been entirely unintentional, and they trust this apology for it will be accepted.

The Right Rev. the Lord Bishop of Lincoln; the Very Rev. the Dean of Westminster; the Right Hon. and Rev. the Earl Nelson; the Rev. Sir H. W. Baker, Bart.; the Rev. Sir J. Prevost, Bart.; the Rev. W. J. Hall, M.A., and the Rev. W. Josiah Irons, D.D., Prebendaries of St. Paul's; the Rev. B. H. Kennedy, D.D., Canon of Ely; the Rev. Horatius Bonar, D.D.; the (late) Rev. J. S. Monsell, LL.D.; the Rev. W. M. Punshon, LL.D.; the Rev. Messrs. J. Ellerton, M.A., J. M. Fuller, M.A., Arthur Tozer-Russell, M.A., the Rev. S. J. Stone, M.A., the Rev. H. Twells, M.A., the Rev. Ed. Caswall, and the Rev. E. E. Jenkins, M.A.; Sir Charles Reed; Richard Massie, Esq.; Granville R. Ryder, Esq.; Thomas Montgomery Foster, Esq.; T. Stamford Raffles, Esq.; George Rawson, Esq.; Miss C. Winkworth; Mrs. Lynch; and H. L. L., the Authors or representatives of the Authors of hymns; and Messrs. Murray, Longmans, Nisbet, Rivingtons, Masters, Hayes, Novello, Daldy Isbister & Co., and the Committee of the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, and the Committee of the Religious Tract Society, the Publishers of the several volumes from which hymns have been selected.

LONDON, 1876.

2 Arm me with jealous care,
As in thy sight to live;
And O thy servant, Lord, prepare
A strict account to give!
Help me to watch and pray,
And on thyself rely,
Assured, if I my trust betray,
I shall for ever die.

2 Then, O my Lord, prepared
My soul for that great day;
O wash me in thy precious blood,
And take my sins away!

3 A few more suns shall set
O'er these dark hills of time;
And we shall be where suns are not,
A far serener clime.

4 A few more storms shall beat
On this wild rocky shore;
And we shall be where tempests cease,
And surges swell no more.

5 A few more struggles here,
A few more partings o'er,
A few more toils, a few more tears,
And we shall weep no more.

6 A few more Sabbaths here
Shall cheer us on our way;
And we shall reach the endless rest,
The eternal Sabbath-day.

2 O might we, Lord! the grace improve,
By labouring for the rest of love,
The soul-composing power;
Bless us with that internal peace,
And all the fruits of righteousness,
Till time shall be no more.

1 A SAFE stronghold our God is still,
A trusty shield and weapon;
He'll help us clear from all the ill
That hath us now o'ertaken.
The ancient prince of hell
Hath risen with purpose fell;
Strong mail of craft and power
He weareth in this hour,
On earth is not his fellow.

2 With force of arms we nothing can,
Full soon were we down-ridden;
But for us fights the proper Man,
Whom God himself hath bidden.
Ask ye, Who is this same?
Christ Jesus is his name,
The Lord Sabaoth's Son;
He, and no other one,
Shall conquer in the battle.

3 And were this world all devils o'er,
And watching to devour us,
We lay it not to heart so sore;
Not they can overpower us.
And let the prince of ill
Look grim as e'er he will,
He harms us not a whit:
For why? His doom is writ;
A word shall quickly slay him.

4 God's word, for all their craft and force,
One moment will not linger,
But, spite of hell, shall have its course;
'Tis written by his finger.
And though they take our life,
Goods, honour, children, wife,
Yet is their profit small;
These things shall vanish all,
The city of God remaineth.

1 A THOUSAND oracles divine
Their common beams unite,
That sinners may with angels join
To worship God aright;
To praise a Trinity adored
By all the hosts above,
And one thrice-holy God and Lord
Through endless ages love.

2 Triumphant host! they never cease
To laud and magnify
The Triune God of holiness,
Whose glory fills the sky;
Whose glory to this earth extends,
When God himself imparts,
And the whole Trinity descends
Into our faithful hearts.

3 By faith the upper choir we meet,
And challenge them to sing
Jehovah on his shining seat,
Our Maker and our King.
But God made flesh is wholly ours,
And asks our nobler strain;
The Father of celestial powers,
The friend of earth-born man!

4 Ye seraphs nearest to the throne,
With rapturous amaze
On us, poor ransomed worms, look down
For heaven's superior praise;
The King, whose glorious face ye see,
For us his crown resigned;
That fulness of the Deity,
He died for all mankind!

1 A WIDOW, poor, forlorn, oppressed,
Importunate her suit could gain;
And shall not we our joint request
By persevering prayer obtain?

2 A stranger to the judge she was,
But we God's chosen people are;
And, wishing us to gain our cause,
Himself doth all our burdens bear.

3 To an unrighteous judge she came,
But to a righteous Father we,
Who bids us confidently claim
His grace for needy sinners free:

4 The widow's and the orphan's Friend
Kindly commands us to draw nigh:
And lo, our hearts to heaven ascend,
And boldly Abba, Father, cry!

5 She had no promise to succeed,
And but at times could find access;
Encouraged we, and sure to speed,
Both day and night our suit may press.

6 Her vehemence did the judge provoke;
But God our earnestness approves,
Watches our every sigh and look,
And most the boldest suitor loves.

7 She had no friend or patron kind,
To enforce and make her suit his own;
But we a powerful spokesman find
Before us at the Father's throne.

8 Our Advocate for ever lives
For us in heaven to intercede,
For us the Comforter receives,
And sends him in our hearts to plead.

2 Swift to its close ebbs out life's little day;
Earth's joys grow dim, its glories pass away;
Change and decay in all around I see;
O thou who changest not, abide with me!

3 I need thy presence every passing hour:
What but thy grace can foil the tempter's power?
Who like thyself my guide and stay can be?
Through cloud and sunshine, O abide with me!

4 I fear no foe, with thee at hand to bless:
Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness:
Where is death's sting? where, grave thy victory
I triumph still, if thou abide with me!

5 Reveal thyself before my closing eyes;
Shine through the gloom, and point me to the skies.
Heaven's morning breaks, and earth's vain shadows flee:
In life and death, O Lord, abide with me!

2 His son the father offered np,
Son of his age, his only son,
Object of all his joy and hope,
And less beloved than God alone.

3 O for a faith like his, that we
The bright example may pursue!
May gladly give up all to thee,
To whom our more than all is due.

4 Now, Lord, to thee our all we leave,
Our willing soul thy call obeys;
Pleasure, and wealth, and fame we give,
Freedom, and life to win thy grace.

5 Is there a thing than life more dear?
A thing from which we cannot part?
We can; we now rejoice to tear
The idol from our bleeding heart.

6 Jesus, accept our sacrifice;
All things for thee we count but loss,
Lo! at thy word our Isaac dies,
Dies on the altar of thy cross.

7 For what to thee, O Lord, we give,
A hundred-fold we here obtain;
And soon with thee shall all receive,
And loss shall be eternal gain.

1 ADAM descended from above,
Federal Head of all mankind,
The covenant of redeeming love
In thee let every sinner find.

2 Its Surety, thou alone hast paid
The debt we to thy Father owed;
For the whole world atonement made.
And sealed the pardon with thy blood

3 Thee, the paternal grace divine
A universal blessing gave,
A light in every heart to shine,
A Saviour every soul to save.

4 Light of the Gentile world, appear!
Command the blind thy rays to see;
Our darkness chase, our sorrows cheer,
And set thy plaintive prisoners flee.

5 Me, me, who still in darkness sit,
Shut up in sin and unbelief,
Bring forth out of this hellish pit,
This dungeon of despairing grief:

6 Open mine eyes the Lamb to know,
Who bears the general sin away;
And to my ransomed spirit show
The glories of eternal day.

1 AFFLICTED by a gracious God,
The stroke I patiently sustain,
Grievous to feeble flesh and blood;
Unable to rejoice in pain,
Beneath my Father's hand I bow,
And groan to feel his chastening now.

2 But when he hath my patience proved,
And sees me to his will resigned,
His heavy hand and rod removed
Shall leave the blest effect behind,
The sure, inviolable peace,
The ripened fruit of righteousness.

3 This pain, this consecrated pain,
With which my soul and flesh are filled,
His instrument if he ordain,
The pure and perfect love shall yield;
But by whatever means 'tis done,
The work and praise are all his own.

1 AFTER all that I have done,
Saviour, art thou pacified?
Whither shall my vileness run?
Hide me, earth, the sinner hide!
Let me sink into the dust,
Full of holy shame, adore!
Jesus Christ, the good, the just,
Bids me go, and sin no more.

2 O confirm the gracious word,
Jesus, Son of God and man!
Let me never grieve thee, Lord,
Never turn to sin again:
Till my all in all thou art,
Till thou bring thy nature in,
Keep this feeble, trembling heart,
Save me, save me, Lord, from sin!

1 AGAIN we lift our voice,
And shout our solemn joys;
Cause of highest raptures this,
Raptures that shall never fail,
See a soul escaped to bliss,
Keep the Christian festival!

2 Our friend is gone before
To that celestial shore;
He hath left his mates behind,
He hath all the storms outrode;
Found the rest we toil to find,
Landed in the arms of God.

3 And shall we mourn to see
Our fellow-prisoner free?
Free from doubts, and griefs, and fears,
In the haven of the skies!
Can we weep to see the tears
Wiped for ever from his eyes?

4 No, dear companion, no!
We gladly let thee go,
From a suffering church beneath,
To a reigning church above:
Thou hast more than conquered death;
Thou art crowned with life and love.

5 Thou, in thy youthful prime,
Hast leaped the bounds of time,
Suddenly from earth released;
Lo! we now rejoice for thee,
Taken to an early rest,
Caught into eternity.

6 Thither may we repair
That glorious bliss to share!
We shall see the welcome day,
We shall to the summons bow;
Come, Redeemer, come away,
Now prepare, and take us now.

1 AH Lord, with trembling I confess,
A gracious soul may fall from grace;
The salt may lose its seasoning power,
And never, never, find it more.

2 Lest that my fearful case should be,
Each moment knit my soul to thee;
And lead me to the mount above,
Through the low vale of humble love.

1 AH whither should I go,
Burdened, and sick, and faint?
To whom should I my troubles show,
And pour out my complaint?
My Saviour bids me come,
Ah! why do I delay?
He calls the weary sinner home,
And yet from him I stay!

2 What is it keeps me back,
From which I cannot part,
Which will not let my Saviour take,
Possession of my heart?
Some cursed thing unknown
Must surely lurk within,
Some idol, which I will not own,
Some secret bosom-sin.

3 Jesu, the hindrance show,
Which I have feared to see:
Yet let me now consent to know
What keeps me out of thee:
Searcher of hearts, in mine
Thy trying power display;
Into its darkest corners shine,
And take the veil away.

4 I now believe in thee
Compassion reigns alone;
According to my faith to me
O let it, Lord, be done!
In me is all the bar,
Which thou wouldst fain remove;
Remove it, and I shall declare
That God is only love.

1 AH! why am I left to complain
In gloomy despair of relief?
No end of oppression and pain,
No respite, or ease of my grief!
To soothe my incurable wound
No friendly physician I see;
No balm is in Gilead found,
No promise of mercy for me.

2 In vain for redemption I look;
My hope in a Saviour unknown,
It passes away like a brook
Dried up in a moment and gone!
But God cannot finally fail;
The fountain of life from above
Shall rise in the depth of the vale,
Shall flow with a current of love.

1 AH, when shall I awake
From sin's soft-soothing power,
The slumber from my spirit shake,
And rise to fall no more!
Awake, no more to sleep,
But stand with constant care,
Looking for God my soul to keep,
And watching unto prayer!

2 O could I always pray?
And never, never faint,
But simply to my God display
My every care and want!
I know that thou wouldst give.
More than I can request;
Thou still art ready to receive
My soul to perfect rest.

3 I feel thee willing, Lord,
A sinful world to save,
All may obey thy gracious word,
May peace and pardon have;
Not one of all the race
But may return to thee,
But at the throne of sovereign grace
May fall and weep, like me.

4 Here will I ever lie,
And tell thee all my care,
And, Father, Abba, Father, cry,
And pour a ceaseless prayer;
Till thou my sins subdue,
Till thou my sins destroy,
My spirit after God renew,
And fill with peace and joy.

5 Messiah, Prince of peace,
Into my soul bring in
Thy everlasting righteousness,
And make an end of sin.
Into all those that seek
Redemption through thy blood
The sanctifying Spirit speak,
The plenitude of God.

6 Let us in patience wait
Till faith shall make us whole;
Till thou shalt all things new create
In each believing soul;
Who can resist thy will?
Speak, and it shall be done!
Thou shalt the work of faith fulfil,
And perfect us in one.

2 When thou in our flesh didst appear,
All nature acknowledged thy birth;
Arose the acceptable year,
And heaven was opened on earth:
Receiving its Lord from above,
The world was united to bless
The giver of concord and love,
The Prince and the author of peace.

3 O wouldst thou again be made known!
Again in thy Spirit descend,
And set up in each of thine own
A kingdom that never shall end.
Thou only art able to bless,
And make the glad nations obey,
And bid the dire enmity cease,
And bow the whole world to thy sway.

4 Come then to thy servants again,
Who long thy appearing to know,
Thy quiet and peaceable reign
In mercy establish below;
All sorrow before thee shall fly,
And anger and hatred be o'er,
And envy and malice shall die,
And discord afflict us no more

5 No horrid alarum of war
Shall break our eternal repose,
No sound of the trumpet is there,
Where Jesus's Spirit o'erflows;
Appeased by the charms of thy grace,
We all shall in amity join,
And kindly each other embrace,
And love with a passion like thine.  

2 The Lord I now can say is mine,
And, confident in strength divine,
Nor man, nor fiends, nor flesh I fear,
Jesus the Saviour takes my part,
And keeps the issues of my heart;
My helper is for ever near.

3 Righteous I am in him, and strong,
He is become my joyful song,
My Saviour and salvation too:
I triumph through his mighty grace,
And pure in heart shall see his face,
And rise in Christ a creature new.

4 The voice of joy, and love, and praise,
And thanks for his redeeming grace
Among the justified is found:
With songs that rival those above,
With shouts proclaiming Jesu's love,
Both day and night their tents resound.

5 The Lord's right hand hath wonders wrought
Above the reach of human thought,
The Lord's right hand exalted is;
We see it still stretched out to save;
The power of God in Christ we have,
And Jesus is the Prince of peace.

6 Open the gates of righteousness,
Receive me into Christ my peace,
That I his praises may record;
He is the Truth, the Life, the Way,
The portal of eternal day,
The gate of heaven is Christ my Lord. ==6-8s. SECOND PART

7 JESUS is lifted up on high,
Whom man refused and doomed to die,
He is become the corner-stone;
Head of the church he lives and reigns,
His kingdom over all maintains,
High on his everlasting throne.

8 The Lord the amazing work hath wrought,
Hath from the dead our Shepherd brought,
Revived on the third glorious day:
This is the day our God hath made,
The day for sinners to be glad
In him who bears their sins away.

9 Thee, Lord, with joyful lips we praise,
O send us now thy saving grace,
Make this the acceptable hour:
Our hearts would now receive thee in;
Enter, and make an end of sin,
And bless us with the perfect power.

10 Bless us, that we may call thee blest,
Sent down from heaven to give us rest,
Thy gracious Father to proclaim
His sinless nature to impart,
In every new, believing heart
To manifest his glorious name. ll God is the Lord that shows us light,
Then let us render him his right,
The offerings of a thankful mind;
Present our living sacrifice,
And to his cross in closest ties
With cords of love our Spirit bind.

12 Thou art my God, and thee I praise,
Thou art my God, I sing thy grace.
And call mankind to extol thy name:
All glory to our gracious Lord!
His name be praised, his love adored,
Through all eternity the same!  

2 Crown him, ye morning stars of light,
Who launched this floating ball;
Now hail the Strength of Israel's might,
And crown him Lord of all.

3 Crown him, ye martyrs of our God,
Who from his altar call;
Of Jesse's stem extol the Rod,
And crown him Lord of all.

4 Ye seed of Israel's chosen race,
Ye ransomed from the fall,
Hail him who saves you by his grace,
And crown him Lord of all.

5 Hail him, ye heirs of David's line,
Whom David Lord did call,
The God incarnate, Man divine,
And crown him Lord of all.

6 Ye Gentile sinners, ne'er forget
The wormwood and the gall,
Go spread your trophies at his feet,
And crown him Lord of all.

7 Let every tribe and every tongue
Before him prostrate fall,
And shout in universal song
The crowned Lord of all.

8 O that with yonder sacred throng
We at his feet may fall,
Join in the everlasting song,
And crown him Lord of all!