Ryle’s Hymns — J. C. Ryle
A short collection of hymns by Ryle.
The comfort of invalids and the edification of Christians in private, have been the two principal objects I have had in view in preparing this collection. I hold strongly, that holy thoughts often abide forever in men’s memories under the form of poetry, which pass away and are forgotten under the form of prose.
The subjects of the hymns in this collection, are of wide range. I have purposely excluded all hymns which can only interest some one particular section of the Church of Christ. I have specially endeavored to include those which come home to the hearts of all true Christians, of every name, and people, and tongue.
Hymns full of Jesus Christ, whether living, dying, rising, interceding, sympathizing, or coming again—hymns full of the experience of believers, their conflicts, crosses, hopes, fears, sorrows, and joys—such hymns are always useful. Of such, the Church can never have too many. Of such, I venture to think, the present volume contains a rich store.
Of the general value of hymns, it is needless to say anything. The children of the world may regard psalm-singing, or hymn-writing, with indifference, or ill-disguised contempt. But the true-hearted servants of that Savior, who “sang a hymn” before He went out to the Mount of Olives, have ever loved, in every age, to “teach and admonish one another in psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs.” (Colossians 1:9)
The Bible, on which they love to feed daily, abounds in hymns of praise.
The Heaven, which they hope to inhabit one day, will be the abode of eternal praise.
A thankful, hymn-singing spirit has always marked the days of a Church’s spiritual prosperity. It is a pleasant thought, that, however much Christians may disagree in pulpits, on platforms, and in prose writing, they are generally of one heart, and one mind, in praise and prayer.
If the three hundred hymns, which I now send forth, shall do good to the weakest lamb in Christ’s flock, and shall comfort, cheer, establish, or build up one suffering member of Christ’s mystical body, the labor which I have expended in collecting them, will be more than repaid.
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