English Congregational Hymns in the Eighteenth CenturyHistorians of the English congregational hymn, focusing on its literary or theological aspects, have usually found the genre out of step with the rationalist era that produced it. This book takes a more balanced approach to the work of four writers and concludes that only eighteenth-century Britain, with its understanding of public verse, common truth, and the utility of poetry, could have invented the English hymn as we know it. The early hymns sought to inspire, teach, stir, and entertain congregations. The essential purpose shifted slightly in line with each poet's setting and in accord with the poetic thought of his day. For Isaac Watts's Independents, powerful traditional imagery was appropriate. Charles Wesley's enthusiasm proceeded from and served the spirit of the revival. John Newton's prophetic vision particularly suited the impoverished community at Olney. William Cowper's masterful handling of formal conventions and his idiosyncratic personal hymns reflect his poetic, rather than clerical, vocation. Despite such temporal variations, the great poetry by each man displays themes of general Christian relevance, suggesting common experience, showing normative features of the genre, and bearing a complex and intriguing relationship to secular literature. |
From inside the book
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... effect. Such formal restrictions were a delight and a challenge to the poetic craftsman. The rise of the hymn in England has frequently been credited to the inadequacy of the psalter as an expression of modern Christian faith. Both the ...
... effect of his poetry on the souls of his readers, an ethical responsibility he had failed to accept: Thus almost in vain have the Throne and the Pulpit cry'd Reformation, while the Stage and licentious Poems have waged open War with the ...
... effects of French tragedy: “What a Variety of Divine Scenes are display'd, and pious Passions awaken'd in those Poems? The Martyrdom of Polyeucte, how doth it reign over our Love and Pity, and at the same time animate our Zeal and ...
... effect, on its tangible, worldly resources, including literary pleasure. Hymn singing should be pleasant. Hymns “should elevate us to the most delightful and divine Sensations,” helping to “compose our Spirits to Seriousness, and allure ...
... effect of “Sweet majesty and awful Love,” as we are both lovingly drawn and respectfully put off by what we see. The double response is sustained as stanzas 3 and 4 awe us with the majesty of the important worshipers, all humbled before ...
Contents
Self Sense the Revival | |
John Newton Olney Prophet | |
Exemplary Tradition the Loss of Control | |
Conclusion | |
Notes | |
Other editions - View all
English Congregational Hymns in the Eighteenth Century Madeleine Forell Marshall,Janet Todd Limited preview - 1982 |
English Congregational Hymns in the Eighteenth Century Madeleine Forrell Marshall,Janet M. Todd No preview available - 2014 |