A. Merril Smoak, Jr., Congregational Hymnals & Watts

by Haaswurth Books December 28, 2023

The Hymn Book and Tunebook Collection of A. Merril Smoak, Jr., DWS.

Congregational & Watts

This collection includes Isaac Watts's Psalms & Hymns, if the hymns are either his or by a Congregational author. For Watts's Psalms and Hymns that contain a different denomination-specific Hymnal, please see the Baptist, Presbyterian, or other denominational collections.

Back to Main Dr. Smoak Collection Page

Presented by Haaswurth Books

Ballou, Hosea; Kneeland, Abner; Turner, Edward. Hymns, composed By Different Authors, at the request of the General Convention of Universalists of The New England States and Others; Adapted to public and private devotion. Charlestown, (Mass.): Printed for the Committee, by Samuel T. Armstrong, 1810. Second Edition. [9962]

Full leather with some cuts and scratches, yet with good joints. 14.2 x 9 cm (5 1/2 x 3 1/2 inches), lacks all free end papers (blanks). (i)-iv, (5)-16, 21-36, 39-260 pp., with stains & foxing. Lacking the 3 leaves as noted; includes the index at end. Fair. Full leather.

A hymnal intended to replace that of Isaac Watts, whose orthodox views of sin, eternal punishment, and atonement the Universalists found objectionable. A complete copy would have 415 selections plus index. This second edition has 5 more hymns than the first.

Rev. Hosea Ballou (1771-1852), born at Richmond, New Hampshire. His father was the pastor of the Baptist Church in that place, but Hosea was expelled from the church due to his embracing Universalist and Unitarian views. At the age of twenty-one he became an itinerant preacher of these doctrines, becoming a settled minister at Dana, Mass., in 1794. He was the pastor several churches before accepting a call to the Second Universalist Society in Boston. Rev. Ballou was “an industrious writer.” He began the Universalist Magazine, the Universalist Expositor, and published numerous doctrinal and controversial works.

Abner Kneeland (1774-1844), born at Gardner, Massachusetts. Kneeland began as a Baptist lay preacher, was led into Universalism, and remained an effective advocate for that cause until 1830 when he adopted a Pantheistic creed and was formally disfellowshipped by the New England Universalist General Convention. Kneeland was actually brought up on a criminal charge for his views, and holds the distinction of being the last man convicted of Blasphemy by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (1836). Five trials ensued, and Kneeland spent sixty days in the Boston jail in 1838.

Edward Turner (1776-1853), b. Medfield, Massachusetts, "ranked second only to Hosea Ballou among Universalist ministers of his generation. He was a denominational organizer, a celebrated preacher, and the first historian of Universalism." - Hughes, Peter. "Edward, Turner," Dictionary of Unitarian & Universalist Biography, an on-line resource of the Unitarian Universalist Studies Network.

Belknap, Jeremy. Sacred Poetry: consisting of Psalms and Hymns, adapted to Christian Devotion, in Public and Private; Selected from the best Authors, with Variations and Additions. Boston: Thomas & Andrews and D. West, 1797. Second Edition, with Improvements. [9802]

Full leather binding, worn with cut marks and some loss of leather to front board, spine with gilt lines, no title label, front joint cracked and weak. 14.5 x 9 cm (5 3/4 x 3 1/2 inches, front board slightly bowed. "Martin Wilders Book" in brown ink on ffep. Title page bordered. Psalms: (i)-(vi), (7)-231, erratum page, (8) pp. index. Then Hymns with new pagination: (1)-148, 153-262 pp., including Index. The two leaves (pp. 149-152) do not appear to have been bound in. One leaf of the Hymns section is torn without loss; the last leaf of index is tattered in the margins; lacks the rear free end papers. Good. Full leather.

The first edition of 1795 is BAL 936. The Preface by Belknap in this second edition is reprinted from the first edition. In it he says that the authors, when known, are printed with the hymns and gives a brief biography of Anne Steele. He also admonishes Christians who entertain scruples against singing hymns - as opposed to exclusively Psalms - and rejects their assertion that hymn-singing is idolatry.

Jeremy Belknap (1744-1798), b. & d. at Boston, Massachusetts. He was a Harvard graduate (1762), a school teacher, and a conservative Congregational pastor who opposed the "Halfway Covenant." He was an ardent patriot for the Revolutionary cause; he wrote a pamphlet condemning the British occupation of Boston, and helped his parents to escape the city. He was asked to become chaplain to the American army outside of Boston, but declined due to ill health. Belknap is recognized as the first American modern historian, having written his History of New Hampshire in three volumes between 1784 and 1792. He also wrote several theological works, and, as an early opponent of the slave trade, he drew up a petition to the Massachusetts General Court in 1788 calling for its abolition. He was a member of several Societies that encouraged benefactory or educational improvements, and was an overseer of Harvard College.

"He wrote no hymns but made an important contribution to American hymnody in his collection Sacred Poetry: consisting of Psalms and Hymns, adapted to Christian Devotion, in Public and Private; Selected from the best Authors, with Variations and Additions (Boston, 1795), which ran into many editions. His intention was to provide a book acceptable to both the conservative and the liberal wings of Congregationalism, to bridge the widening gap which resulted in the formation of the Unitarian denomination a generation later. In this he failed, for only the liberal churches accepted it, though it was widely used by them for 40 years, being much of the best of the period. It includes 300 hymns from the best English sources, and was the first to introduce to Americans the hymns by Anne Steele. The only American hymns in the collection are Jacob Kimball's metrical version of Psalm 65 and Mather Byles' 'When wild confusion rends the air.'" - Henry Wilder Foot, Dictionary of North American Hymnology.

Belknap, Jeremy. Sacred Poetry: consisting of Psalms and Hymns, adapted to Christian Devotion, in Public and Private; Selected from the best Authors, with Variations and Additions. Boston: Published by Thomas and Andrews and West and Blake | C. Stebbins, Printer, Nov. 1812. A New Edition, with additional Hymns. [10068]

Full leather, scuffed and worn, joints cracked, small chip top of spine. 14.8 x 9 cm (6 x 4 inches). Foxing, some dark. (i)-(vi), (7)-231, (viii), (1)-276 pp. Hymn leaf 9-10 torn with loss at top corner; lacks the final free end papers (blanks). Text is counted and complete. Fair.

Belknap, Jeremy. Sacred Poetry: consisting of Psalms and Hymns, adapted to Christian Devotion, in Public and Private; Selected from the best Authors, with Variations and Additions. Boston: Published by Thomas and Andrews and West and Blake | C. Stebbins, Printer, Nov. 1812. A New Edition, with additional Hymns. [9968]

Full leather over wood boards, scuffed and worn, joints good, 4 x 2 cm chip at top front corner. 14.8 x 9 cm (6 x 4 inches). Ffep detached, many stains, some dark. (i)-(vi), (7)-231, (viii), (1)-276 pp. Text is counted and complete. Good. Full leather.

The first edition of 1795 is BAL 936. The Preface by Belknap in this later edition is reprinted from the first edition. In it he says that the authors, when known, are printed with the hymns and gives a brief biography of Anne Steele. He also admonishes Christians who entertain scruples against singing hymns - as opposed to exclusively Psalms - and rejects their assertion that hymn-singing is idolatry.

An additional note says that the hymns from the 300th to the end, "are added to this edition, and have been selected by a successor of the Rev. Author."

There are 323 hymns and 21 Ascriptions & Benedictions in this edition.

Belknap, Jeremy. Sacred Poetry: consisting of Psalms and Hymns, adapted to Christian Devotion, in Public and Private; Selected from the best Authors, with Variations and Additions. Boston: Published by Thomas Wells | Lincoln & Edmands, Printers, 1818. A New Edition, with additional Hymns. [9915]

Full leather, scuffed & worn, remnants of gilt to spine & gilt borders to boards. Joints good, front with short crack. 8.5 x 5.5 cm (3 3/8 x 2 1/4 inches). Title page with scroll border. (i)-v, [1], (7)-216, viii, (1)-22, 27-255, (1). Lacking 2 leaves (pp. 23-26) of the Hymns section, and the final free end papers (blanks). Many top page corner tips damaged, obliterating some page numbers but not affecting any text. Good. Full leather.

General Association of Connecticut. Chapel Hymns: Hymns for Christian Use and Worship; prepared and set forth by the General Association of Connecticut. New-Haven: Durrie and Peck, &c., 1846. [9815]

Full sheep, front board detached, rear board loosening, 12 x 7 cm (4 3/4 x 2 3/4 inches). Lacks all free end papers. Text complete, (2), (291)-672 pp.

This is a reprint of the Hymns section (retaining the original page numbers) of the Associations' Psalms and Hymns. 706 hymns, 13 Doxologies, Index of first lines. Words only.

Harris, Thaddeus Mason. Hymns for the Lord's Supper, Original and Selected. Boston: Printed by Sewell Phelps, 1821. Second Edition. [9809]

Blue stiff paper wrapper, 14.5 x 9 cm (5 3/4 x 3 1/2 inches), "E. A. Stine, East Springfield, 1879" in brown ink at top of tp, 54 pp., complete. A few light pencil scribbles; some brown ink strokes. Good. Wraps.

A shorter first edition of this book was published in 1801, for the use of the church at Dorchester.

47 hymns, words only, with an index of first lines.

Thaddus Mason Harris, D. D. (1768-1842), Harvard graduate (1787), appointed librarian there in 1781. In 1789 he accepted a call from the First Unitarian Church at Dorchester, and was pastor there until 1839. He was one of the founding members of the American Antiquarian Society.

Nettleton, Asahel. Village Hymns for Social Worship: Selected and Original, designed as a Supplement to the Psalms and Hymns of Dr. Watts. New-York: Published and Sold by E. Sands, 1828. Stereotype Edition. [9877]

Full leather, scuffed and worn, top of spine worn to the text block, joints are good, 11 x 7 cm (4 3/8 x 2 3/4 inches). Front paste-down with scribbles & remnants of paper, ffep inscribed in brown ink, "Present to Mrs. Sarah Hayden, by her friend, L. A. Peterson, April 1830." Small piece clipped from the top of the second ffep. (i)-viii, 9-486 (of 488) pp. Lacks the last leaf of the Table of Tunes. Chew marks at the corner tips affecting some numbers but no texts; old stains in many places. Fair. Full leather.

An interesting aside: the rfep has the poem that begins, "Could we with ink the ocean fill | and were the skies of parchment made...", signed by Sarah S. Hayden, who received this hymnal in 1830. This poem is commonly attributed to Frederick Lehman and his 1917 hymn "The Love of God." Sounds like the basis for an interesting research project.

Asahel Nettleton, D.D. (1783-1844), born at North Killingworth, Connecticutt. He graduated at Yale College in 1809; entered the Congregational ministry in 1811; and from 1812 to 1822 traveled as an evangelist through Connecticut and parts of Massachusetts and New York.

"He had originally intended to become a missionary; but his preaching was attended with such great success, hundreds being converted by his labors, that he concluded to stay at home and continue in this work. In 1822 his heath failed, and he almost ceased preaching for two years, but afterwards resumed the work, spending his winters in the South, and visiting England, Scotland, and Ireland in 1831. On his return, in 1832, he was appointed professor of pastoral theology in the then newly-organized theological seminary in East Windsor; but he did not accept this office, and simply took up his residence in the place and lectured occasionally to the students...Dr. Nettleton was a decided opponent to the New Haven theology, and in sermons and addresses took frequent opportunity to combat it. His only publication was a compilation, The Village Hymns." - M'Clintock & Strong.

Strong, Nathan; Flint, Abel; Steward, Joseph [compilers]. The Hartford Selection of Hymns, from the most approved authors; To which are added a number never before published. Hartford: Printed for O. D. Cooke, From J. Babcock's Press, 1802. Second Edition. [9820]

Sometime covered in cloth with the free end papers pasted down to hold it in place. There is a leather binding beneath. 13 x 8 cm (5 1/8 x 3 1/8 inches), (i)-iv., (5)-58, 63-357, [1] pp. Lacking the two leaves as noted. Text is good with occasional small stains in the margins. Good. Hardcover.

403 hymns, plus Hosannas & Doxologies. With a Table of First Lines and subject index. Words only; no music.

Boards are detached, lacks the title page. 13 x 8 cm (5 1/8 x 3 1/8 inches), (iii)-iv., (5)-58, 63-357, [1] pp. The title page is missing, but all other text pages are present. Shaken, with some loosening sections. Poor. Hardcover.

Preface is dated July 3, 1799. The advert at end calls this a "New Edition." The pagination matches the 1802 second edition.

403 hymns, plus Hosannas & Doxologies. With a Table of First Lines and subject index.

Words only; no music.

Strong, Nathan; Flint, Abel; Steward, Joseph [compilers]. The Hartford Selection of Hymns, from the most approved authors; To which are added [a nu]mber never before published. Hartford: Printed by Peter B. Gleason, 1810. Third Edition. [9844]

Full leather, top of front joint cracked, 13 x 7 1/2 cm (5 1/4 x 3 inches), "F. Sherman's" in brown ink on ffep. (i)-iv, (5)-357, [1], (2) book catalogue of Peter B. Gleason. Page 224 misnumbered as 324. The text is complete with light stains in some sections. Good. Hardcover.

403 hymns, plus Hosannas & Doxologies. With a Table of First Lines and subject index. Words only; no music.

Watts, I. [Isaac]. Hymns and Spiritual Songs, In Three Books; I. Collected from the Scriptures. II. Compos'd on Divine Subjects. III. Prepar'd for the Lord's Supper. Boston: Printed by Rogers & Fowle, for D. Henchman in Cornhill, 1742. The Sixteenth Edition. [9829]

Dark leather over thick card, binding scuffed and worn yet with good joints, tight. Paste-downs now free. 13.3 x 7.5 cm (5 1/4 x 3 inches), front free end paper torn with loss, front free end papers loosening but not detached. (i)-xii., (1)-317, (1)-(15) Table, (1)-(3) Adverts. Text complete. Many leaves tattered at edges with no loss of text; one leaf of text chipped at bottom corner with loss of some letters; one leaf in Table torn with loss, several Table leaves with horizontal tears. Light staining in many places, some leaves are dark. Good. Full leather.

p. 258 misnumbered as 158

Final free end paper, written in brown ink, "Hannah Gates her Book | Hannah Gates, Daughter to Josiah Gates and Grace. Born in September the 9th Day, 1725."

Shipton & Moody AI 40293. "BPL (Boston Public Library) copy."

Watts, Isaac; Bayley, Daniel. The Psalms of David, Imitated in the Language of the New Testament...Hymns and Spiritual Songs...The Psalm-Singer's Assistant. Boston: J. Mein | W. M'Alpine, 1766 & 1767. [9972]

Full calf over card, 15.3 x 9 cm (6 x 3 1/2 inches), binding separated at rear hinge, cracks in the binding near the top of the joints, lacks all free end papers and first title page, and several other leaves as noted below. There are three items here bound together.

The first is Watts's Psalms of David lacking the tp., and it could be one of several imprints circa 1766. Pagination is [iii]-iv, [1]-304, [xxiv], lacking the last leaf of the Table. This could be Evans 9346 or Evans 10559.

The second is Hymns and Spiritual Songs...&c. By Isaac Watts, D. D., The Twenty-first Edition. Boston: Printed and Sold by J. Mein...1766. [i]-xxiv, [1]-76, 81-276 pp. P. 276 misnumbered as 176; lacking the two leaves as noted; many leaves trimmed close at top. AI 41671 with note, "The only known copy is defective." Leaf 69-70 with horizontal tear, leaf is complete.

Item three is The Psalm-Singer's Assistant; containing, I. An Introduction, with such Directions for Singing, as are necessary for Learners. II. A Collection of Choice Psalm-Tunes, suited to the several Measures both of the old and new Version; engraved in a correct Manner, and is designed for the Improvement of Psalmody, in the Congregations, both in Town and Country: All being composed in three Parts, collected from the best Masters. By Daniel Bayley. Boston: Printed by W. M'Alpine, for the Author in Newbury-Port. And sold by the Booksellers in Town and Country. 1767. 8 pp. text; 6 (of 16) leaves of engraved music, engraved on one side only: the numbered leaves present are in this order - 4, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8. AI 41691. Fair. Full calf.

The Psalm-Singer's Assistant. No. 77B in Britton, Lowens, and Crawford, American Sacred Music Imprints 1698-1810. "This item is a tune supplement to be bound at the back of a metrical psalter or hymn-book. Variations in copies demonstrate that at least six issues were published, all with music printed from the same plates, and only one with a title-page date." This copy defective with only 6 engraved leaves present. Includes the Advert for 'Tans'ur's Royal Melody' on text p. 8.

Several signature within - "Betsy Coffin's Book, Dover, July 1799," "Eliphalet Coffin," "Susannah Coffin."

Watts, Isaac. The Psalms of David, imitated in the Language of the New Testament, and applied to the Christian State and Worship bound with Hymns and Spiritual Songs...&c. Newbury-Port: Printed and Sold by John Mycall, 1781. The Fortieth Edition, Corrected, and Accommodated to the Use of the Church of Christ in America. [9964]

A very worn full leather over wood boards, backstrip with loss of the top 3.5 cms, old crude sewn repair at back of text block, back end paper hinge open with binding separating from the text block, 15.4 x 9 cm (6 x 3 1/2 inches). Psalms of David: (1)-325, (11) pp. Table; Psalm section complete. Hymns and Spiritual Songs: (1)-242, 245-264, x. (of xii) pp. Table. Text for the Hymns lacks 1 leaf, and 1 leaf of the Table. Complete Psalms, defective Hymns; many old stains in the text. Fair. Full leather.

The Psalms....&c. is AI 17099, and the Hymns & Spiritual Songs is AI 17791.

The hymn section of the book has a separate title page: Hymns and Spiritual Songs, In three Books: I. Collected from the Scriptures. II. Composed on Divine Subjects. III. Prepared for the Lord's Supper. By I. Watts, D. D. Newbury-port: Printed and Sold by John Mycall. Sold also by M. Leverett, and R. Larkin, in Boston. 1782.

The earliest Mycall Revision. The Psalms were revised to reflect the American states and their War of Revolution, which was still in progress, and to replace the references to Great Britain.

"This was after the capture of Yorktown, but still nearly two years before the Treaty of Peace. One can readily reproduce in imagination the anxious but fervid consultations of Mr. Mycall's committee and the scrutiny by approving eyes throughout New England of the results of their patriotic labors. Their book is indeed a precious memorial of the times. Yet one cannot find but his sense of humor appealed to by this patriotic necessity of getting King George well out of King David's Psalms. Why indeed had he ever got in?

"The most striking feature of the text of the Mycall revision is that of Pslam LXXV, which Watts had entitled: - 'Power and government from God alone. Apply'd to the Glorious Revolution by King William, or the Happy Accession of King George to the Throne.' Mycall altered the title to read: - 'Applied to the glorious revolution in America, July 4th, 1776.' and the change in the governing powers is set forth in the 2nd verse: - '2. America was doom'd a slave, Her frame dissolv'd, her fears were great; When God a right'ous council gave, To bear the pillars of the state.'

"A peculiarity of the text arises from the difficulty of finding a name for the colonies, now freed from that slavery, which is to be substituted for 'Great Britain' and the like in the original. Sometimes it is 'our States' (XXI), 'These ransom'd States' (XLVII), 'ye rescu'd States' (LXVII; now 'New England' (LX); and now 'America' (LXXV), or 'Columb'a' (CXLVII). - Benson, The American Revisions of Watts's Psalms, pp. 3-4.

A very worn intact full leather binding, crude sewing through the spine as an old repair, 16 x 9.3 cm (6 1/4 x 4 3/4 inches). Psalms of David: (1)-325, (11) pp. Table; Psalm section complete. Hymns and Spiritual Songs: (1)-281, xi. pp. Table. Text for both books is complete, with the free end papers. The book is shaken with some detached leaves laid in place; many page edges creased/curled; it is remarkable that it is still complete. Fair. Full leather.

The Psalms....&c. is AI 17099 (Part First), and the Hymns & Spiritual Songs is AI 17423. It is a different pairing than AI 17099.

The hymn section of the book has a different imprint. It is Hymns and Spiritual Songs, Collected from the Holy Scriptures: Composed on Divine Subjects: Prepared for the Holy Ordinance of the Lord's Supper. By Isaac Watts, D. D. Providence (Rhode-Island): Printed and Sold by Bennett Wheeler, M,DCC, LXXXI. [1781].

Watts, I.; Doddridge, P. The Psalms of David, Imitated in the Language of the New Testament, And applied to the Christian State and Worship bound with Hymns founded on various texts in the Holy Scriptures; Published from the Author's Manuscript. A New Edition, Corrected. London: J. F. and C. Rivington..&c., 1783 | 1776. [9838]

Two books bound as one. Full calf, scuffed with vertical crease to spine, front joint with surface crack, spine ends worn with loss. 15.5 x 9.2 cm (6 1/8 x 3 1/2 inches), spine with raised bands & gilt lines, no title to spine. "Mattw Chater, 1802" in black ink on front paste-down. xiii., (1)-2, 1-8 Engraved Tunes, 3-317, xxiii; (i)-xxvi, 1-242; xxiv, (1)-50, 53-329, (i)-xix). Text of Watts with some edge-tattering affecting a few words; Doddridge lacks 1 leaf, pp. 51-2. Good. Full leather.

Watts's date is 1783; Doddridge is 1776. An interesting 8 pp. section of engraved music at the front of Watts.

Watts, Isaac. The Psalms of David, imitated in the Language of the New Testament, and applied to the Christian State and Worship bound with Hymns and Spiritual Songs...&c. Boston: Printed by Joseph Bumstead, 1798 & 1795. [9963]

Full leather over wood boards, binding very worn with some chipping at the edges, leather separating from the wood, binding fragile. 14 x 8 cm (5 1/2 x 3 1/4 inches), lacks all free end papers (blanks), title leaf & first leaf of index damaged with loss of the top third of the leaves. (1)-595 pp., number of leaves is complete. P. 14 misnumbered as 41, with small tear at bottom corner affecting some words; p. 16 without the number error, suggesting a partly corrected printing. Signed in several places by Wm. A. Goddard, Worcester; signed at end by Benj. Goddard, Watertown.

The title page for the second part has Hymns and Spiritual Songs. In three books. I. Collected from the Scriptures. II. Composed on Divine Subjects. III. Prepared for the Lord's Supper. By Isaac Watts, D. D. Boston: Printed by Joseph Bumstead...1795. The pagination for both parts is continuous.

See F3 (p. 16) of Benson's The American Revisions of Watts's Psalms (1903). There he comments on Bumstead's edition of 1792: "The Worcester text of Watts, without the Appendix of Barlow's additions. The make up of the book, like the title, is in the usual (not the Worcester) form. There are also 1794 and 1795 Bumstead imprints, perhaps of the same character."

Watts, Isaac. Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs, applied to the Christian State and Worship. Boston: Published by Lemuel Blake | Lincoln & Edmands, Printers, 1808. [9834]

Full leather, joints good, brown spine title label covers a red one underneath, brown label partially worn away (see pics). Binding with gilt panels front and back, gilt lines to spine; 9 x 6 cm (3 5/8 x 2 1/4 inches). Blue marbled end papers, lacks both front & rear first free end papers. First several leaves nearly detached (i-16). Second title page is "The Psalms of David Imitated...", same imprint. Possibly missing a frontispiece, the pages are (1-2) first tp., (1-2) second tp, (7)-334, [2], (i)-288; text complete. Small marks at the beginning of each psalm or hymn, perhaps a code for use. Rear free end papers weakly attached. Good. Full leather.

The Hymns section has a separate title page: Hymns and Spiritual Songs. In Three Books. I. Collected from the Scriptures, II. Composed on Divine Subjects, III. Prepared for the Lord's Supper. Boston: Lemuel Blake, 1808.

Watts, I.; Dwight, Timothy. The Psalms of David, Imitated in the Language of the New Testament, And applied to the Christian Worship. I new Edition, In which the Psalms omitted by Dr. Watts are versified, local passages are altered, and a number of Psalms are versified anew, in proper Metres; By Timothy Dwight, D. D. President of Yale College. At the Request of the General Association of Connecticut. To the Psalms is added, a Selection of Hymns. Hartford: Printed by Hudson and Goodwin, 1814. [9836]

Full leather binding, joints rubbed yet sound, some surface worming to the spine, gilt rules to spine, 13.5 x 7.5 cm (5 1/4 x 3 inches). "Lavina Steels Psalm Book" in brown ink on ffep. (1)-284, (xx) table; (305)-475, (xv) table. Text complete and neatly printed. Good. Full leather.

"After the American Revolution, it became early the general wish of the Churches and Congregations in this country, that such passages in Doctor Watts's version of the Psalms, as were local [i.e. British], and inapplicable to our own circumstances...In making such alterations to Doctor Watts's version, as respected objects merely local, I have in some instances applied the Psalm, or the passage, to the Church at large, or to Christian nations generally; and in others, particularly, to our own country." - Advertisement.

The second title page has Hymns selected from Dr. Watts, Dr. Doddridge, and various other writers. According to the Recommendation of the Joint Committee of the General Association of Connecticut, and the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in America. By Timothy Dwight, President of Yale-College. Printed by Hudson & Goodwin, 1814.

Timothy Dwight, D.D., LL.D., (1752-1817), grandson of Jonathan Edwards, born at Northampton, MA. Dwight graduated at Yale College at the age of 17, in 1769. He served in the army during the American Revolution, as a chaplain to General Parson’s brigade. His father’s death in 1778 necessitated a return to his family home to take care of his mother, which he did by teaching school and by preaching. In 1783 he accepted a call to become the pastor of the parish of Greenfield, CT. In 1795 he was elected president of Yale College and served in this capacity until 1817. "During this period there were no less than four distinct revivals of religion at the College." - Roberts.

Watts, Isaac. The Psalms of David, Imitated in the Language of the New Testament, And applied to the Christian Worship; Corrected and Accommodated to the Use of the Church of Christ in America. Worcester: Elijah Burbank | E. Merriam & Co., Printers: Brookfield, 1816. [9833]

Full leather, joints good, corners worn with some loss to front top, 14 x 8.6 cm (5 1/2 x 3 5/8 inches), long inscription (title) on the ffep. (xii), [1], (13)-283, [1], (i)-242, (x), pages complete. Leaf 55-56 of the hymns torn with loss in bottom margin, with old repair; hole in leaves 237-8 & 239-40 with loss of a few letters; lacks the rear free end papers. Foxing, some light stains, some edge-tatters, corner creases. Text in good condition. Good. Full leather.

The Hymns section has a separate title page: Hymns and Spiritual Songs. In Three Books. I. Collected from the Scriptures, II. Composed on Divine Subjects, III. Prepared for the Lord's Supper. By Isaac Watts, D. D. Corrected, and Accommodated for the Use of the Church of Christ in America. Brookfield: Printed by E. Merriam & Co. 1816.

Watts, Isaac; Bayley, Daniel. The Psalms of David, Imitated in the Language of the New Testament, And applied to the Christian state and worship bound with The Essex Harmony containing a Collection of Psalm Tunes. Boston | NewburyPort: William M'Alpine | Daniel Bayley, 1771 & 1772. [9813]

Two books bound together as one. Full leather, worn, no spine title label, front board detached, some red rot at the edges. 14.5 x 8.5 cm (5 3/4 x 3 1/2 inches), inscriptions on front and back end papers, described below.

The Psalms of David has the 1771 William M'Alpine imprint, and (1)-vi., (7)-324 pp. (of 328); lacking the last two leaves of the Table of First Lines.

The Essex Harmony, "Printed and Sold by the Author in NewburyPort & by most Booksellers in Boston, 1772". All leaves are engraved, beginning with title page, (i) Lesson & Table; (1-14), center leaf detached. Lacks the last two leaves (pp. 15-18). The music is in round notes in either three or four parts. Good. Full leather.

Watts is the twenty-fifth edition, AI 42297. The Bayley item is no. 66 in American Sacred Music Imprints, 1698-1810 and is the third edition of The Essex Harmony, AI 12319.

"Eben.r Pardie's" on ffep; inscription on front paste-down, "Gift of Miss Ann Prichard, A worthy respectable Maiden Lady Aged about 27, Isaac Knap, 1837-May 29, Newbury Port, Massachusetts."

Ebenezer Pardie (1732-1776), b. East Haven, CT; d. Whiteplains, NY, from wounds suffered in battle. Pardie was a private soldier in Captain Rogers' company, raised at Cornwall, CT, in response to General Washington's call for troops to defend against Lord Howe's army at New York city.

"Isaac Knap Jr., 1843 February, Very Cold" on rfep; the final paste-down reads "1771 Daniel Baily, was Clerk and Organist in S. Paul Church in N.Port, he performed to the admiration of all our harts; now we have the fourth Generation that few Excel = NB No friend nor mother. 1837. Doctor Bass is as fine a Man as ever wore the White Robe, Saint: Church."

The Daniel Bayley (Jr), (1755-1799) referred to here as the organist at St. Paul's beginning in 1776, and was the son of our author, Daniel Bayley (1729-1792). The elder Bayley was clerk of the church, and at various time earned a living as a "musician, printer, publisher, potter, and shopkeeper." - ibid.

Watts, I. Hymns and Spiritual Songs: In Three Books, I. Collected from the Scriptures, II. Composed on divine Subjects, III. Prepared for the Lord's Supper. Edinburgh: Printed by and for John Gray, 1772. The Twenty-fourth Edition. [9926]

Sturdy full leather binding (likely original), scuffed and worn yet with good joints, tight. 15.7 x 9.5 cm (6 1/4 x 3 3/4 inches), "Iohn Green's Book" in brown ink on ffep, with three crosses and winged clouds beneath; the rest of the ffep filled in with random letters. Preface date is March 3, 1720. xxiv., 304 pp., text complete. Good.

Although Watts's Psalms did not catch on in Scotland, his Hymns were sung by some churches. Here is the separate printing of the Hymns. WorldCat records only one location.

"Modern hymns were introduced into Scotland by the Relief Church in the late eighteenth century, but were not widespread in Scottish Presbyterianism until roughly between 1850 and 1875." - J. S. Andrews, Dictionary of Scottish Church History & Theology, p. 683.

Watts, Isaac; Barlow, Joel. Doctor Watts's Imitation of the Psalms of David, corrected and enlarged; To which is added A Collection of Hymns; The whole applied to the State of the Christian Church in general. Hartford: Barlow & Babcock, 1785. First Edition. [9978]

Full leather, binding in two pieces and shaken, 15 x 8.5 cm (5 7/8 x 3 1/4 inches). [i]-[vi], [7]-300; [xiv], [301]-348. Complete text. Leaf 63-63 with small tear at bottom corner, affecting a few letters; larger tear with loss at bottom corner leaf 247-248 affecting a few words. Fair.

Evans 18931. BAL 860.

This is the first edition of Barlow's revision, with the undated certificate on p. [3]. It is evidently an unrecorded issue, not matching any of the three described in BAL. Leaf P5 (pp. 177-178) is a cancel, with the correct orientation of the S at Line 1, stanza 4, but this is on page 177 and not page 178 as described in that reference.

"The first authorized revision of Watts's Psalms was made under a resolution of the General Association of Connecticut passed in June, 1784...In a preface of his own, immediately following this certificate, Barlow explains the revision from his point of view...Barlow's revision was published at Hartford in 1785..The volume is a narrow 16mo, of some 350 pages, not ill-printed by having a poor appearance on account of the quality of the paper...The printing of the book by Barlow himself suggests an understanding with the General Association that it be published at his personal risk or profit..." - Benson, The American Revisions of Watts's Psalms, pp. 5-7.

Barlow's revision was replaced with Dwight's in 1801, after Barlow went to France and became involved with the French Revolution, an action which displeased the churches of Connecticut.

Watts, Isaac. [Pulpit Hymnal] The Psalms of David, imitated in the Language of the New Testament, and Applied to the Christian State and Worship. Together with Hymns, and Spiritual Songs, in Three Books; I. Collected from the Scripture, II. Composed on Divine Subjects, III. Prepared for the Lord's Supper. With Indexes and Tables complete. Boston: I. Thomas and E. T. Andrews, 1791. [9769]

Dark red leather with elaborate gilt designs, including pairs of doves at the border corners and on the spine. Binding is quite worn and scuffed, joints good with partial cracks, spine ends chipped. We have left the leather "as is" but if you would like us to treat it with archival paste we will do so. 20 x 12.5 cm (8 x 5 inches). All page edges gilt. Marbled end papers; all free end papers missing. First leaf of Index (pp. 3-4) torn with some loss at the upper corner. 227 (1) pp., leaves complete. Foxing. Good. Hardcover.

In brown ink at the head of the title page, "For the Pulpit in the new Meeting house in the first Parish in North Yarmouth, Oct. 13. 1818."

Shipton & Mooney 23192.

Full leather, scuffed and worn yet intact, front joint weak, lacks the front free end papers, 13.5 x 7.5 cm (5 3/8 x 3 inches). [i]-[viii], [9]-350, [23] Index & Table, [1], [375]-583, [xvii] Table & Index. Text leaves complete, tight. Good..

An early impression with "PUBLISHED ACCORDING TO ACT OF CONGRESS" on verso of tp. This Psalter was seen as a replacement for the one made by Barlow, who had gone off to France in support of the French Revolution.

"This well-packaged title-page is the placid record of an ecclesiastical scandal and tragedy. In 1785, precisely the same revision of Dr. Watts's psalm-book had been made by Joel Barlow, under the sanction of the same authority, and had been issued by the same publishing house. The book had given universal satisfaction, until poor Joel went over to France, and dabbled in the French Revolution, and fell, as was supposed, into all manner of French impiety and abomination. Of course, the saints of Connecticut could not be expected to enjoy any longer the psalms and hymns of the great sinner of Paris; and the task of President Dwight, as recorded on the above title-page, was really to demephitize and disinfect the book; it was to cast out of it all the writings of Joel, and to put into it, in their stead, as many as possible of the writings of Timothy." - Moses Coit Tyler, Three Men of Letters, as quoted in Benson, The American Revisions of Watts's Psalms, p. 20.

"After the American Revolution, it became early the general wish of the Churches and Congregations in this country, that such passages in Doctor Watts's version of the Psalms, as were local [i.e. British], and inapplicable to our own circumstances...In making such alterations to Doctor Watts's version, as respected objects merely local, I have in some instances applied the Psalm, or the passage, to the Church at large, or to Christian nations generally; and in others, particularly, to our own country." - Advertisement.

The second title page has Hymns selected from Dr. Watts, Dr. Doddridge, and various other writers. According to the Recommendation of the Joint Committee of the General Association of Connecticut, and the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in America. By Timothy Dwight, President of Yale-College. Same imprint as above. Pagination is continuous with the Psalms.

Timothy Dwight, D.D., LL.D., (1752-1817), grandson of Jonathan Edwards, born at Northampton, MA. Dwight graduated at Yale College at the age of 17, in 1769. He served in the army during the American Revolution, as a chaplain to General Parson’s brigade. His father’s death in 1778 necessitated a return to his family home to take care of his mother, which he did by teaching school and by preaching. In 1783 he accepted a call to become the pastor of the parish of Greenfield, CT. In 1795 he was elected president of Yale College and served in this capacity until 1817. "During this period there were no less than four distinct revivals of religion at the College." - Roberts.

Watts, Isaac; Barlow, Joel. Psalms, carefully suited to the Christian Worship in the United States of America: being an Improvement on the Old Versions of the Psalms of David. Hudson, [NY]: Printed for William E. Norman, by Harry Croswell, 1805. [9847]

Worn leather binding, chipped at the spine ends, the case is almost detached from the text block, 12 x 7 cm (4 11/16 x 2 3/4 inches). Wood engraving of David as king playing a harp on the tp. (1)-194, 215-390 pp., including an index of first lines. Text block is split at center and lacking the 5 center leaves, pp. 195-214. Poor. Hardcover.

We find Psalms by Watts and Barlow, there may be other authors as well.

Watts, Isaac; Dwight, Timothy. The Psalms of David, Imitated in the Language of the New Testament, And applied to the Christian Worship. A new Edition, In which the Psalms omitted by Dr. Watts are versified, local passages are altered, and a number of Psalms are versified anew, in proper Metres; By Timothy Dwight, D. D. President of Yale College. At the Request of the General Association of Connecticut. To the Psalms is added, a Selection of Hymns. [New Hartford]: Printed for Hudson & Goodwin | From Sidney's Press, 1803. [9832]

Full brown leather, no spine title label, corners worn through with partial crack to back joint, 13 x 7 1/2 cm (5 1/8 x 2 7/8 inches). (i)-(vii), (1), (9)-284, [20] pp. Table & Index. Second title page (305), [1], (307)-475, (15) Contents and Table. Number of leaves complete with the following defects: crude sewn repair to text block, now shaken, with some detached leaves laid in (but none missing); pp. 262-268 with worming affecting some letters; leaf 367-8 clipped with some loss of letters; leaf 449-50 chipped with the piece laid in. Fair. Full leather.

"After the American Revolution, it became early the general wish of the Churches and Congregations in this country, that such passages in Doctor Watts's version of the Psalms, as were local [i.e. British], and inapplicable to our own circumstances...In making such alterations to Doctor Watts's version, as respected objects merely local, I have in some instances applied the Psalm, or the passage, to the Church at large, or to Christian nations generally; and in others, particularly, to our own country." - Advertisement.

The second title page has Hymns selected from Dr. Watts, Dr. Doddridge, and various other writers. According to the Recommendation of the Joint Committee of the General Association of Connecticut, and the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in America. By Timothy Dwight, President of Yale-College. Printed for Hudson & Goodwin, From Sidney's Press, New-Haven. 1803.

Timothy Dwight, D.D., LL.D., (1752-1817), grandson of Jonathan Edwards, born at Northampton, MA. Dwight graduated at Yale College at the age of 17, in 1769. He served in the army during the American Revolution, as a chaplain to General Parson’s brigade. His father’s death in 1778 necessitated a return to his family home to take care of his mother, which he did by teaching school and by preaching. In 1783 he accepted a call to become the pastor of the parish of Greenfield, CT. In 1795 he was elected president of Yale College and served in this capacity until 1817. "During this period there were no less than four distinct revivals of religion at the College." - Roberts.

Watts, I. The Psalms of David, Imitated in the Language of the New Testament, And applied to the Christian State and Worship bound with Hymns and Spiritual Songs. Boston: Printed and sold by Manning & Loring, 1806. [9867]

Full calf, some scrapes & scuffs yet with good joints, 14.6 x 8 cm (4 3/4 x 3 1/4 inches). Quite a bit of insect damage to the end papers (blanks), text pages unaffected. Light dampstain to the inside margins of the first and last several leaves, darkest at the title page. (i)-xi, [1], (13)-251, [1]; (i)-x, (11), 12-216. Complete text. Good. Full leather.

Separate title page, same imprint, for Hymns and Spiritual Songs. In three books. I. Collected from the Scriptures, II. Composed on Divine Subjects, III. Prepared for the Lord's Supper.

Shaw & Shoemaker 11820 (Psalms) and 11814 (Hymns and Spiritual Songs).

Watts, I.; Dwight, Timothy. The Psalms of David, Imitated in the Language of the New Testament, And applied to the Christian Worship. A new Edition, In which the Psalms omitted by Dr. Watts are versified, local passages are altered, and a number of Psalms are versified anew, in proper Metres; By Timothy Dwight, D. D. President of Yale College. At the Request of the General Association of Connecticut. To the Psalms is added, a Selection of Hymns. New-Haven: Published by Howe & DeForest Walter & Steele and Samuel Wadsworth. 1812

Calf dos-a-dos binding, edges & corners worn, 10.2 x 6 cm (4 x 2 1/4 inches). Marbled end papers. The Psalms lacks the title page, and has: (3)-319, (2) pp. The Hymns has (321)-494 pp.

"After the American Revolution, it became early the general wish of the Churches and Congregations in this country, that such passages in Doctor Watts's version of the Psalms, as were local [i.e. British], and inapplicable to our own circumstances...In making such alterations to Doctor Watts's version, as respected objects merely local, I have in some instances applied the Psalm, or the passage, to the Church at large, or to Christian nations generally; and in others, particularly, to our own country." - Advertisement.

The second title page has Hymns selected from Dr. Watts, Dr. Doddridge, and various other writers. According to the Recommendation of the Joint Committee of the General Association of Connecticut, and the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in America. By Timothy Dwight, President of Yale College. Same imprint as above.

Timothy Dwight, D.D., LL.D., (1752-1817), grandson of Jonathan Edwards, born at Northampton, MA. Dwight graduated at Yale College at the age of 17, in 1769. He served in the army during the American Revolution, as a chaplain to General Parson’s brigade. His father’s death in 1778 necessitated a return to his family home to take care of his mother, which he did by teaching school and by preaching. In 1783 he accepted a call to become the pastor of the parish of Greenfield, CT. In 1795 he was elected president of Yale College and served in this capacity until 1817. "During this period there were no less than four distinct revivals of religion at the College." - Roberts.

Watts, Isaac. Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs, applied to the Christian State and Worship. Middlebury, VT: Published & Printed by Slade & Ferguson, 1814. [9935]

Full calf, binding scuffed and worn with large chip at the top of the spine, corners rounded, joints cracked, leather separating at the edges from the card boards. 10.4 x 6.5 cm (4 x 2 1/2 inches), lacks all free end papers (blanks). Psalms: (1)-128, 145-160, 129-144, 161-346; Hymns: (1)-293 pp. Text is complete, although the Psalms section is partly out of order, as you can see. Fair. Hardcover.

The second title page is Hymns and Spiritual Songs. In three Books. I. Collected from the Scriptures. II. Composed on Divine Subjects. III. Prepared for the Lord's Supper. By Isaac Watts, D.D., same imprint as above.

Watts, I. The Psalms of David, imitated in the language of the New Testament, and applied to the Christian state and worship. Newburyport: W. B. Allen & Co., 1814. [9969]

Full leather with gilt to spine, corners worn, small loss at top of backstrip, joints good, 10.5 x 6.5 cm (4 1/8 x 2 1/2 inches). (1)-248, (1)-248 pp., both sections complete, tight. Very good.

The title page for the second part has Hymns and Spiritual Songs. In three books. I. Collected from the Scriptures. II. Composed on Divine Subjects. III. Prepared for the Lord's Supper. By Isaac Watts, D. D. Newburyport: W. B. Allen & Co, 1814.

Watts, Isaac. Psalms carefully suited to the Christian Worship in the United States of America being an Improvement over the Old Version of the Psalms of David; bound with Hymns and Spiritual Songs, in Three Books I. Collected from the Scriptures, II. Composed on Divine Subjects, III. Prepared for the Lord's Supper. (With some New Hymns not in common editions.) See the End for New Hymns. Baltimore: Published by John & Thomas Vance | J. Robinson, Printer, 1815. [9850]

Thick leather binding, worn but with good joints, red leather spine title, small white ink spots to binding, 12.6 x 7 cm (5 x 2 3/4 inches). Psalms: (2), (1)-4, (13)-320 pp. including index; Hymns: (1)-286 pp. The gap between p. 4 and p. (13) in the Psalms is due to fewer preliminary pages being used in this edition; this volume is complete, no leaves are missing. Text is dark with old staining; a few marginal tears/chips in the Psalms section. Good. Full leather.

There is a separate title page for the Hymns, same imprint. The "New Hymns" are 14 in number, and the first several that we checked are by Watts.

Full calf panelled in gilt & blind, "Caroline F. Prescot" in gilt to front, joints sometime reinforced with glue, spine in elaborate gilt with black leather title, "Watts." 14 x 9 cm (5 1/2 x 3 1/2 inches). Pink marbled end papers; inside dentelles. Psalms: (1)-300 pp., including index & first lines; Hymns - (1)-274 pp. with index and table. Complete, tight, some foxing, a few brief pencil strokes in the margins. Good. Full leather.

There is a separate title page for the Hymns, same imprint.

An Americanized version of Watts's Psalms and Hymns.

Watts, Isaac. The Psalms of David, imitated in the Language of the New Testament, and applied to the Christian State and Worship, bound with Hymns. Brookfield: Printed by E. Merriam & Co., 1818. [9975]

Red leather, boards bordered in gilt, spine decorated in gilt, front joint cracked, lacking about 20% of the backstrip bottom, 13 x 7 cm (5 1/4 x 2 3/4 inches). Marbled end papers. [1]-284, [1]-242. p. 112 misnumbered as 114. [x] Table. [iv] blanks. [1]-44, [iii] Hymns Book IV. Leaves complete; some sections shaken. Good.

Inscription on ffep: "This Book of Psalms, and Hymns, are presented by the Female Reading Society: unto the Presbyterian Church, of the 2d Parish in Springfield. June 19th, 1824."

The second title page: Hymns and Spiritual Songs. In three books. I. Collected from the Scriptures. II. Composed on Divine Subjects. III. Prepared for the Lord's Supper. By Isaac Watts, D. D. Same imprint.

There is no title page for the 44 pp. Book IV. This last section has hymns by Cowper, Doddridge, Beddome, Stennett, Mrs. Steele, Addison, Byles, Tate, Proud, Lothrop, Barlow, Scott, & Merrick.

Watts, I. The Psalms of David, Imitated in the Language of the New Testament, And applied to the Christian State and Worship bound with Hymns and Spiritual Songs. Haverhill, Mass.: Published by Nathan Burrill | Stereotyped by B. & J. Collins, New-York, 1818. [9872]

Full leather binding, scuffed & worn, joints fine, front end paper hinge almost separated, 12 x 7 cm (4 3/4 x 2 3/4 inches). "Irene C. Langworthy" in brown ink on ffep. (1)-370, 383-585, (v). Defective: lacking 12 leaves, pp. 371-382. Poor. Full leather.

Separate half-title page, for Hymns and Spiritual Songs. In three books. I. Collected from the Scriptures, II. Composed on Divine Subjects, III. Prepared for the Lord's Supper. The page numbers are continuous throughout in this edition.

Rootsweb online has an Irene C. Langworthy, b. April 20, 1810; d. November 1, 1826, buried at Grove Cemetery, Belfast, Maine.

"Brief Sketch of Dr. Watts" on verso of tp.

Full calf decorated in gilt, rear joint partly cracked, 10 x 6 cm (4 x 2 1/2 inches). Marbled end papers, lacking all free end papers, portion of front paste-down missing. (1)-320, (2), (323)-498 pp. Text complete; text block tight. Good.

"After the American Revolution, it became early the general wish of the Churches and Congregations in this country, that such passages in Doctor Watts's version of the Psalms, as were local [i.e. British], and inapplicable to our own circumstances...In making such alterations to Doctor Watts's version, as respected objects merely local, I have in some instances applied the Psalm, or the passage, to the Church at large, or to Christian nations generally; and in others, particularly, to our own country." - Advertisement.

The second title page has Hymns selected from Dr. Watts, Dr. Doddridge, and various other writers. According to the Recommendation of the Joint Committee of the General Association of Connecticut, and the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in America. By Timothy Dwight, President of Yale-College. New-York: Published and Sold by Charles Starr | Printed by D. Fanshaw.

Timothy Dwight, D.D., LL.D., (1752-1817), grandson of Jonathan Edwards, born at Northampton, MA. Dwight graduated at Yale College at the age of 17, in 1769. He served in the army during the American Revolution, as a chaplain to General Parson’s brigade. His father’s death in 1778 necessitated a return to his family home to take care of his mother, which he did by teaching school and by preaching. In 1783 he accepted a call to become the pastor of the parish of Greenfield, CT. In 1795 he was elected president of Yale College and served in this capacity until 1817. "During this period there were no less than four distinct revivals of religion at the College." - Roberts.

Watts, Isaac; Worcester, Samuel. The Psalms, Hymns & Spiritual Songs, of the Rev. Isaac Watts, D. D. To which are added, Select Hymns from other Authors; and Directions for Musical Expression. Boston: Samuel T. Armstong and Crocker & Brewster, (1823). Stereotype Edition; Carefully revised, and improved with Copious Indexes. [9816]

Full brown leather with red leather title label, outer binding good with no damage, 15.5 x 9.3 cm (6 x 3 5/8 inches). (1)-314, 323-326, 335-496. (5)-156 pp. Center shaken with open hinges, lacking the 8 leaves as noted. Fair. Full leather.

The first 50 pp. include a comprehensive subject index.

Stereotyped by T. H. & C. Carter, Boston.

Samuel Worcester, D.D. (1770-1821), born at Hollis, New Hampshire, graduated at Dartmouth College with the highest honors in 1795. “[In 1797] he was ordained pastor of the Church at Fitchburg, a society which was cursed by all the evils of the Half-Way Covenant – including among its members Deists, Arians, Universalists, and the openly immoral. With decision, inflexible integrity, and solemn faithfulness to truth and duty, Worcester opened the batteries of the Gospel upon the errors and sins that called for rebuke. As a result, in the ensuing spring, the covenant was revised and an orthodox creed adopted, and in 1799 an extensive revival occurred.” – M’Clintock & Strong.

Watts, Isaac. The Psalms of David, imitated in the Language of the New Testament, and applied to the Christian State and Worship bound with Hymns and Spiritual Songs. Cooperstown: Stereotyped and published by H. & E. Phinney, 1823. [9858]

Black leather with gilt scroll borders, "Watts" and gilt designs to spine, joints good, 9 x 5 cm (3 1/2 x 2 inches). Marbled end papers. 322, 282 pp.; texts complete, tight. Very good. Hardcover.

There is a separate title page for the Hymns: Hymns and Spiritual Songs, in Three Books. I. Selected from the Scriptures, II. Composed on Divine Subjects, III. Prepared for the Lord's Supper. By Isaac Watts, D. D. Cooperstown: Stereotyped and published by H. & E. Phinney. 1823.

A well-preserved pocket hymnal.

Watts, Isaac; Worcester, Samuel. Christian Psalmody in Four Parts: Comprising Dr. Watts's Psalms Abridged; Dr. Watts's Hymns Abridged; Select Hymns from Other Authors; and Select Harmony: together with Directions for Musical Expression. Boston: Samuel T. Armstrong and Crocker & Brewster, 1825. Sixth Edition. [9873]

Full leather, scuffed and worn with some separation of leather from the edges of the card, this has an old repair with sewn joints, the spine & joints covered with calf; the book opens stiffly. 14.8 x 9 cm (5 7/8 x 3 1/2 inches). (i)-viii, (9)-324, 13-156, (ix)-xxvi Index. Text complete. The odd page break between p. 324 & p. 13 does not indicate a loss of text, for the Hymn bridging those two pages is intact. Good. Full leather.

Preface date is Nov. 1814. The imprint for part four - Select Harmony - is dated 1813, and has its own title page & pagination. The Select Harmony is Rudiments of Music, (3)-5, followed by 6)-47 pp. of music, round notes, three parts, with an Index.

Samuel Worcester, D.D. (1770-1821), born at Hollis, New Hampshire, graduated at Dartmouth College with the highest honors in 1795. “[In 1797] he was ordained pastor of the Church at Fitchburg, a society which was cursed by all the evils of the Half-Way Covenant – including among its members Deists, Arians, Universalists, and the openly immoral. With decision, inflexible integrity, and solemn faithfulness to truth and duty, Worcester opened the batteries of the Gospel upon the errors and sins that called for rebuke. As a result, in the ensuing spring, the covenant was revised and an orthodox creed adopted, and in 1799 an extensive revival occurred.” – M’Clintock & Strong.

These efforts by Worcester led to a split in the church at Fitchburg and a failed attempt by the Universalists of the town to substitute their own minister as the tax-supported town parson. Dr. Worcester was a friend to missions, and served as the editor of the Massachusetts Missionary Magazine, as president of the Massachusetts Missionary Society, and was credited with the original idea for the formation of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, and was the first corresponding secretary of that organization.

“As a preacher, Dr. Worcester was doctrinal, faithful, and luminous, though his manner was neither easy nor graceful; as a pastor, he was diligent, sympathetic, the poor and the sick sharing his special care. He had considerable musical talent, instructed in sacred music, and gave lectures on church psalmody and music. His influence was felt much in ecclesiastical councils, and he was often called upon to adjudicate disputes and settle difficulties. He was a powerful debater, and some of his speeches were seldom rivaled even in judicial and legislative assemblies.” – M’Clintock & Strong.

Watts, Isaac. Caniadau Sion; sef casgliad o Hymnau a Salmau: Yr Hymnau, gan mmwyaf, o waith y parch. William Williams, Gynt o Bant y Celyn, a Isaac Watts: A'r Salmau gan Edmund Prys, Gynt Arch-Diacon Meirionydd. Utica: William Williams, 1827. First Edition. [9916]

Full calf, rubbed at the edges, joints good, 12.5 x 7 cm (5 x 2 3/4 inches). 1827 inscription on the ffep. (i)-xvi, 25-344 pp., last leaf lacking top half. Text counted and complete, matching OCLC 44485670. Good. Full calf.

A Welsh version of Isaac Watts's Psalms, with some of Timothy Dwight's Hymns in English, and ending with Edmund Prys's Crynodee o Lyfr y Salmau, o Gyfiethiad a Chyfansoddiad y Diweddar, which is another Welsh Psalter.

"Pages 253 to 266 contain the English version of a few hymns from the selection in use among the Presbyterian and Congregational Churches in America. By Timothy Dwight, D.D. President of Yale College. The type for the Welsh Hymnal was set up by Mr. Williams' eldest son, S. Wells Williams." - Williams, John Camp. An Oneida County Printer: William Williams, Printer, Publisher, Editor. p. 117.

Watts, Isaac. The Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs of the Rev. Isaac Watts, D. D., adapted to Christian Worship in the United States. Windsor, Vt: Printed and Sold by S. Ide, 1829. Cheap Stereotype Edition. [9973]

Full leather over wooden boards, old cloth repair to spine, text block split into two pieces, 10.5 x 6 cm (4 1/8 x 2 1/2 inches). [1]-595, [1], [xi]-32. Appears complete, Table begins at p. [11]. Half title to Hymns chipped at edge with loss of some letters, Table at end shaken with some edge-tatters. Fair.

The printer, Simon Ide (1794-1889), was an industrious young man who apprenticed at the age of fifteen for three years with the Vermont Republican at Windsor. After, he set up his own shop and secured some government contracts. It took him two years to print the New Testament in the workshop he set up in his father's unused blacksmith shop in New Ipswich, NH; at the time of the printing of this Psalm and Hymn book he was back in Windsor, VT. At this time his press was powered by "an old blind horse." He went on to expand his printing and publishing business to a very great, and profitable, extent. - see History of Simeon Ide in The Vermont Journal March 18, 1905.

Watts, I. The Psalms of David imitated in the language of the New Testament, and applied to the Christian State and Worship in the United States of America. Philadelphia: L. Johnson, 1830. [9930]

Full leather binding, long ago covered in textured cloth and then shellacked. 10.6 x 6.5 cm (4 1/4 x 2 1/2 inches). No free end papers (blanks). (1)-238; lacks the last leaf or two of the Table for the Hymns, many turned page corners. Good. Hardcover.

The Hymns section has a separate title page and imprint, Philadelphia: Published by H. Adams; Stereotyped by L. Johnson, 1828.

Full leather, spine decorated in gilt, some worming in the joints and edges, 15.3 x 10 cm (6 x 4 inches). Marbled end papers & page edges, lacking the first front free end paper, 2nd & title page partly loose. [viii], [1]-580 pp. Text complete; text block tight. Good.

Watts, I. & A Teacher of Psalmody. The Psalms and Hymns of the Rev. Isaac Watts, D. D. To which are added, a Selection of Hymns from various Authors; With Directions for Musical Expression Arranged and Adapted to the Music of The Choir, Or Union Collection of Church Music. Sandbornton, N. H.: Published by L. Dow Pierpont | D. V. Moulton, Printer, 1833. First Edition. [9928]

Full leather binding, spine decorated in gilt, rubbed & worn with partial crack to front joint as well as a center crease to the backstrip with 2.5 cm split at bottom. 9.2 x 5.7 cm (3 5/8 x 2 3/8 inches), dark marbled end papers, pencil call numbers on end papers. (1)-310, (1)-272, [2], (1)-192 pp., text is complete. The third title page has a horizontal tear. Good.

The copyright was held by Charles Lane & Co. The third section of "Hymns adapted to the Music of The Choir, or Union Collection" prints the tune names from that book to be used with the hymns.

The History of Sandbornton (1882) fails to mention the compiler, but notes that these books were "very neatly and substantially bound, with the pews of the Centre meeting-house numbered on the covers of many of them." (This copy is not so numbered).

Watts, Isaac; Worcester, Samuel. The Psalms, Hymns & Spiritual Songs, of the Rev. Isaac Watts, D. D. To which are added, Select Hymns from other Authors; and Directions for Musical Expression; By Samuel Worcester, D. D., Late Pastor of the Tabernacle Church, Salem, Mass. Boston: Crocker & Brewster, 1834. New Edition. The Selection Enlarged, and the Indexes greatly Improved. By Samuel M. Worcester, A. M., Professor of Rhetoric in Amherst College, Mass. [9843]

Full brown leather, scuffed and worn, some cracking to the joints, "Ira Gibbs" in gilt to front, 16 x 9.8 cm (6 5/8 x 3 7/8 inches). "2506" in blue ink on the tp. (1)-36, (51)-496, (505)-776; text is complete. The gap between p. 36 & p. (51) indicates that the hymn section is the same as earlier editions and begins at p. 51, but the preliminary indices are only 36 pp. rather than 50 pp. as in the earlier editions. Similar with the gap between p. 496 & p. (505). Good. Full leather.

The first 36 pp. include a comprehensive subject index.

Samuel Worcester, D.D. (1770-1821), born at Hollis, New Hampshire, graduated at Dartmouth College with the highest honors in 1795. “[In 1797] he was ordained pastor of the Church at Fitchburg, a society which was cursed by all the evils of the Half-Way Covenant – including among its members Deists, Arians, Universalists, and the openly immoral. With decision, inflexible integrity, and solemn faithfulness to truth and duty, Worcester opened the batteries of the Gospel upon the errors and sins that called for rebuke. As a result, in the ensuing spring, the covenant was revised and an orthodox creed adopted, and in 1799 an extensive revival occurred.” – M’Clintock & Strong.

Watts, I.; Hastings, Th.; Patton, Wm. The Christian Psalmist, or, Watts' Psalms and Hymns, with Copious Selections from other Sources; The whole carefully revised and arranged, with directions for Musical Expression. New York: Ezra Collier | Stereotyped by Francis F. Ripley, 1836. First Edition. [9965]

Full morocco, blindstamped pattern to boards, gilt stars at corners, spine decorated with gilt titles & panels, joints fine, corner tips worn through. 15 x 9.3 cm (6 x 3 3/4 inches), blue & white marbled end papers, marbled page edges (faded), ffep partly loose. Ink name stamp of Hannah Benjamin in several places. (1)-626 pp., complete, tight. Foxing. Very good.

643 selections, words only, plus 2 pp. of Doxologies and indices. The selections have symbols in the margins signifying how the line or hymn is to be sung.