Article August 25, 1923 Issue

The Christian Science Hymnal

VIVIAN CARLSON

Christian Scientists have a great affection for their Hymnal, because of its familiar and well-loved tunes, and the encouragement, rest, and strength to be found in its comforting verses. But, recalling the choral charm and the spirit of salvation and triumph which breathe through the whole of our church song-book, sometimes the question presents itself, Do we devote to its acquaintance the measure of attention that would best prove a truly unselfish affection, and evidence an appreciation of the labor of love that has gone to its compilation? It does not seem that it should be the case that sometimes so many of our beautiful hymns are in such practical disuse as to be referred to as "unfamiliar" and "new," when one of them may be announced as part of a church service.

The more thoroughly one acquaints himself with the Hymnal, the more is he delighted to discover the breadth of thought and material that is covered by its songs. Whatever may be the development of a Sunday or a Wednesday service, always its theme may be harmoniously and definitely supplemented by appropriately selected hymns. But this harmonious coordination of sermon and song is most effectually achieved only when the congregation is readily familiar with the Hymnal, so that the part of the service which expresses itself in the sung verse may always have the spontaneous support of an intelligent and glad response.

When the writer first awakened to her individual responsibility toward the Christian Science hymns, she decided to follow the practical course of availing herself of a Hymnal, making note of all the songs which she did not know, and devoting an occasional few minutes or half hour to practicing these. In a very short time she found herself almost as familiar with one song as another; and the result was a very greatly increased pleasure and profit in her association with the Hymnal. It was surprising, too, to learn how small was the labor required to accomplish this result; for our Hymnal contains, in the first place, a comparatively limited number of songs, as we readily realize when we compare its size with that of the average church song-book. Besides this, the appeal to our hearts of the spiritual truths expressed in its songs, together with the simplicity of their music, makes them easy to retain in thought. Also, practical aid has been offered in rendering them readily sung at sight by printing them in clear, uncrowded type, with the words and syllables beneath the notes to which they are to be sung.

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