Book Description

Excerpt from Ocean Melodies, and Seamen's Companion: A Collection of Hymns and Music; For the Use of Bethels, Chaplains of the Navy, and Private Devotion of Mariners The design of this collection is two-fold; - To counteract the debasing tendency of productions, preferring claims to poetry and music, and to furnish such as will interest the mariner and awaken the better feelings of his nature. Of the influence of that which has already been scattered broad-cast upon our wharves, or in our forecastles, there can be but little doubt in the minds of such as have observed carefully the results. No one, it is presumed, can question the utility of anything which will eject such pernicious trash from our vessels, and substitute a collection which will call up remembrances of home, and such as will lead seamen to recognize God's power, and hear his voice when tempests rage and thunders roar. It affords us much pleasure and satisfaction, in supplying Seamen and their friends, with a large collection of original hymns and familiar tunes, from those who are desirous of promoting the temporal and spiritual welfare of the sailor. A number of descriptive pieces of poetry have been introduced in the Melodies; and it is presumed they will not give offence, but be read with interest. Hymns have been selected from books published by the A. Seaman's Friend Society, "The Psalmist," edited by the Rev. Baron Stow and Rev. S. F. Smith; published by Gould, Kendall, & Lincoln of Boston. Also from "The Christian Melodist," compiled by Rev. Joseph Banvard and issued by Mr. John Putnam. Mr. Wm. B. Tappan, Rev, J. H. Clinch, and Rev. N. Colver, have enriched the "Melodies" with their productions, for which, they have our sincere thanks. Capt, T. V. Sullivan, the "Marine Mission at Large," of Boston, has selected some beautiful pearls for this book. Mr. G. A. Bennett has rendered important service, by giving time in preparing music for the "Melodies" Mr. J. H Hanaford has furnished valuable productions for this work. The first edition of Ocean Melodies, this gentleman arranged. The original arrangement of this book has been entirely changed; more than treble the number of hymns and tunes are introduced in this improved edition of the "Melodies." Unity has not been wholly disregarded; where it is not apparent, it may be attributable, in part, to a desire of securing as many gems and pearls for the ocean as possible, in a small book. We are fully persuaded that every generous-minded person will pardon all blemishes, and appreciate whatever is truly valuable in this humble effort to provide melody for the long neglected sailor. As there are no competitors in this vast ocean-field, we anticipate a favorable reception for the first book of the kind ever published, with so large a number of hymns and familiar tunes. The significant appellation of "Jack" and "Tar," so frequently, but inappropriately and injuriously applied to sailors, with other common nautical expressions, are excluded from the Melodies; as they are very offensive to all intelligent mariners, whenever employed in prose or poetry. A Burial Service has been introduced and is regarded as a very important accompaniment of the Melodies. Confident we are that all evangelical denominations, and all who love the worthy mariner, will rejoice at the appearance of the Melodies; but especially those who have relatives and friends on the " great and wide sea." Boston, Feb. 21, 1849. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com