SKU: MN.CH-1343

UPC: 765844006727. English.

Isaac Watts (1674 –1748) was born in Southampton, England and was brought up in the home of a committed religious Nonconformist; his father, also Isaac Watts had been incarcerated twice for his views. Watts could not attend Oxford or Cambridge because of being a Noncomformist and because these universities were restricted to Anglicans, instead attending the Dissenting Academy at Stoke Newington in 1690. Watts lived at Abney Hall in Stoke Newington until his death in 1748; he was buried in Bunhill Fields. He left an extensive legacy of hymns, treatises, educational works, and essays. His work was influential amongst Nonconformist independents and religious revivalists of the 18th century by contributing to English hymnody with new poetry to be used in worship. The older tradition was based on the poetry of the Bible which was developed from the teachings of the 16th-century Reformation leader John Calvin. Watts’ introduction of extra-Biblical poetry opened up a new era of Protestant hymnody with other poets following in his path. Many of Watts’ hymns are included in the Christadelphian Hymnal, the Episcopal Church’s Hymnal 1982, Evangelical Lutheran Worship, the Baptist Hymnal, the Presbyterian Trinity Hymnal, and the Methodist Hymns and Psalms. Many of his texts are also used in the American Hymnal and The Sacred Harp. Several of his hymns are used in the hymnals of the Church of Christ, Scientist and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Of the more that 600 tunes in the Sacred Harp, 149 of them have words by Isaac Watts. Similarly, of the 180 tunes in the Missouri Harmony 2005 Edition, Isaac Watts is credited with the words for 75 of them. The majority of these words come from Watts monumental Psalms and Hymns, first published in 1707.

SKU: HL.1479867

UPC: 196288215509. 6.75x10.5 inches.

Hymn to Time is a choral meditation on the subject of TIME -- its physics, its lyrical and emotional impact on us, and its rhythm. The piece unfolds as a circle, beginning and ending at its most philosophical. The music includes hints at clocks ticking, Westminster chimes, soaring lyricism, minimalism, and a final chaconne.

SKU: ST.B934

ISBN 9780852499344.

This, the ninth of a series of books begun in 1983, contains Brian Wren's 36 most recent hymns (2009 to 2012). It is nicely presented and laid out in a user-friendly way. The hymns are divided into five thematic sections: Jesus from Cradle to Cross; Easter Hymns; Church and Mission; Praise; and Metrical Psalms. This last section, rooted in (though not bound by) the Old Testament, is often influenced by Isaac Watts and will be of more use to some than others; it concludes with a tremendous rendering of Psalm 8; a paean of praise which all will love, set to a stirring tune.

Each section is prefaced with a single page introduction listing the contents and, in some instances, giving an interesting insight into Brian Wren's theology and thinking which provides food for contemplation. Each hymn is printed in words format with all the necessary information for inclusion in an order of worship. Every hymn is also printed with full score music for accompaniment interlined with the words. The book is slightly larger than A5, and there are various useful indexes.

The tunes range from ancient to modern, some very familiar, including Candler (better known as Ye Banks and Braes). A number are of a metre where alternative tunes are available. Those tunes which are new vary in ease of use; some will be readily picked up, others would prove challenging for occasional use in a small congregation but could be used as music group items.

These are hymns which need to be read as a whole and require thought. The words are chosen with care and notable as much for those not used as those included e.g.: 'Christ, untameably alive,/ breathe your life upon us - / Compass, Governor and Guide, / with us and beyond us,/ Sky and Sunlight, / spreading Vine./ Spring of Living Water,/ Truth and Wisdom, Way and Word,/ here, and then hereafter.' These hymns will be useful in worship as either sung or read pieces, and will also prove an invaluable resource for private devotion.

Robert Canham, Reform

SKU: ST.W209

ISBN 9790220220562.

For the celebrations of HM the Queen's Golden Jubilee in 2002, Peter Cutts, composer of 'Bridegroom', has written an anthem version of Fred Pratt Green's much loved Hymn for the Nation, set to 'Vision' by Walford Davies. Widely heard in 1977 as part of the Silver Jubilee celebrations, 'It is God who holds the nations in the hollow of his hand' is now available in this new arrangement which has been specially written with the varying performance needs of modern church choirs in mind.