Association Hymn Book For use in Meetings for Men Compiled by a special committee representing commitice the Young Men's Christian Associations. International New York: The International Committee of THE Foreword HE Association Hymn Book is an attempt to collect the best of those hymns that are especially adapted to the use of young men; those in which the emphasis is put upon the heroic, active masculine qualities rather than upon the passive virtues and states of mind and feeling. Practical tests have been applied, with the result of excluding all pieces that are not singable, and giving large place to such as have proven their value in the various Association meetings. In order to bring some tunes within the compass of men's voices they have been transposed into a lower key. Some hymns are valuable chiefly because they are hallowed by early associations, and of these a number have been chosen. As one avowed aim of the publication of the book has been to improve the character of the hymns and tunes used by the Young Men's Christian Associations, studious effort has been made to include only those selections in which a sound poetical or musical taste is not violated, holding that in this, as in all things, the Association should stand for the best. The committee having in charge the preparation of the book was first constituted by the action of a special religious work conference held at the West Side Branch, New York, in January of 1902. As the result of the committee's labor, and in accordance with its recommendation to the International Committee, the issue of the book was undertaken. The following persons constituted this committee, five names having been added to the original number: George A. Warburton, chairman; Charles K. Calhoun, Laurence L. Doggett, Luther H. Gulick, George B. Hodge, William D. Murray, Edward W. Peck, William H. Sage, Charles R. Towson, Lucien C. Warner, Clarence B. Willis. The entire Association Brotherhood is indebted to them for their faithful, discriminating labor. The book is now published in the hope that it may prove of value in promoting the praise and worship of Him to whom, with the Father, and the Holy Spirit, all praise and worship are due. New York, March, 1904. THE INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE 277316 |