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Being the translation and
paraphrases in verse of several passages on Sacred Scripture collected
and prepared by a committee of the General Assembly of the Church of
Scotland in order to be sung in churches. An Account of their History,
Authors, and Sources; together with the Minutes of the General Assembly
and Extracts from Presbytery Records relative thereto; Reprints of the
Editions of 1745, 1751 and 1781, Information regarding Hymns
contemporary with the Paraphrases; and some Account of the Scripture
Songs of 1706 By Douglas J. MacLagan. (1889) (pdf)
PREFACE
THIS present work is not
an ambitious literary effort. If it be ambitious in anything, it. is
that the historical and literary information it contains should be as
full and as correct as possible. The Scottish Paraphrases have now
become part of the standard religious literature of Scotland, almost as
much so as the Metrical Version of the Psalms, and the object of this
book has been to consolidate, as far as possible, into one volume much
interesting matter regarding the Scripture Songs of the Scottish Church.
Unfortunately, at the time when the Paraphrases were being compiled, it
does not seem to have been considered so important to have regard to an
author’s original text as it is now-a-days. Not that, even yet, we have
arrived at perfection, but we of the nineteenth century may at least
claim a greater veneration for the genuine text of an author than our
forefathers of the eighteenth century. Nor does it appear to have been
the custom in those days, when preparing a miscellaneous collection of
pieces, whether of prose or poetry, to indicate in any way the
authorship of the various compositions. With these two difficulties
those who have interested themselves in the Paraphrases have had to
contend. As a matter of principle, the Paraphrases stand as a
conspicuous warning of the confusion arising from hymn-tinkering; as a
matter of fact, however, they have in many cases benefited by the
changes made upon them. These changes have led to great difficulty
regarding the authorship, and much of the information on this point is
traditional. Many lists of the authors of the Paraphrases have appeared
at various times, each differing more or less from the other. A large
number of these have been consulted for this work, and the results
appear in the following pages. It has been my endeavour, however, not to
rest satisfied with mere statement, but, when possible, to adduce proof.
With that object, the main portion of this book is taken up with the
reprints of the three editions of the Paraphrases, and, where it appears
that any of these have been adopted or adapted from any author, the
original hymns or poems have also been given. It occurred to me, while
investigating the authorships, that Presbytery Records might throw some
light upon the alterations, and, accordingly, circular letters were
addressed to Presbytery Clerks requesting their assistance. It is with
much pleasure that I record here my grateful thanks to very many Clerks
of Presbyteries who took the trouble to examine and give me extracts
from the Records under their charge. A selection of these is given in
Appendix II. In most cases Presbyteries appear to have paid little or no
attention to the preparation of the Paraphrases. I have also to record
my warmest thanks to the Rev. Dr. Christie, Librarian of the General
Assembly’s Library, for the kindness and assistance shown me in
procuring extracts of the minutes of Assembly. Having noticed in a
preface to the Paraphrases, “with Notes, Explanatory and Devotional, by
Thomas Brown, Minister of the Gospel, Dalkeith,” that the Paraphrases
had been authorized by the Associate Synod for use in the congregations
under its inspection, I applied to the Rev. Dr. Kennedy, Clerk of the
United Presbyterian Synod, for information regarding this statement. To
Dr. Kennedy I am greatly indebted for permission to search the Records
of the Associate Synod, and the Extracts taken from these Records have
been embodied in Chapter II. To James Thin, Esq., Edinburgh, and W. L.
Taylor, Esq., Peterhead, many thanks are also due for their valuable
assistance given to me in the preparation of this volume. To many other
friends who have afforded help, I here record my indebtedness.
It only remains to be said that in preparing the various biographical
notices, the “Fasti Ecclesise Scoticanse,” by the late Rev. Dr. Hew
Scott, has been much consulted; and that the Records of the Ministers’
Widows’ Fund of the Church of Scotland have also afforded some
information.
I am well aware that the subject of the Paraphrases has not been
exhausted; but I would express the hope that this attempt to gather
together scattered information concerning what may truly be regarded as
the Scottish National Hymn Book will meet with the approval of those
interested in Scottish Hymnology, and perhaps lead to yet fuller
information regarding our “Scottish Paraphrases.”
D. J. MACLAGAN.
Edinburgh, December 1888.
The Scottish Paraphrases (pdf) |
