The literature of the Highlanders : $b a history of Gaelic literature from the earliest times to the present dayMacNeill, Nigel
History
The literature of the Highlanders : $b a history of Gaelic literature from the earliest times to the present day
MacNeill, Nigel
Scottish Gaelic literature -- History and criticism
Many laudable attempts have been made to bring the power of the
sacred muse to bear on Highland life. Principal Daniel Dewar, D.D.,
published a considerable collection of hymns in 1806 for public
worship. It was translated wholly from English, and consisted of
paraphrases and hymns then current in the English language. Another
collection by John Munro appeared in 1819, printed by D. Mackenzie,
Glasgow. This is made up chiefly of translations from Watts’s hymns,
and many of them are well rendered. Another appeared in 1832,
published by John Reid. This tiny volume is neatly printed, and
consists mainly of translations from the Olney hymns. Some of the
compositions in Kennedy’s collection have been referred to already.
The “Sacred Poetry of the North,” edited by John Rose, and published
in 1851, is the most valuable collection of sacred poems yet given
to the Highlanders. The authors whose works are contained in this
volume have been already brought before the reader in chronological
order. In more recent times many of the hymns of our own day,
translated by Archibald Macfadyen, Rev. Dr John MacLeod, and others,
were published by Duncan Campbell in 1874. A new edition of the same
is just published, the collection being in request among Baptists
who have always encouraged more hymn-singing in public worship than
their Presbyterian neighbours. The latter, however, are beginning to
cultivate more liberty in this respect. A few of the hymns sung in
Scotland by Mr Sankey in 1874, were translated by the Rev. Alexander
MacRae of Clachan, and were received with much appreciation. The
first part of “The Highland Hymnal,” by the writer, was published in
1886. In connection with Highland hymnology, ancient and modern, Mr
Lachlan MacBean, Mr Stewart of Killin, and Mr Alexander Carmichael
have done good work in exhibiting some of the treasures of the Gaelic
sacred muse. Still a good volume of Church Praise with music has
never yet been given to the Highland Gael.
SCRIPTURE PARAPHRASES.
These were first translated by the Rev. Alexander Macfarlane of
Kilmelfort and Kilninver. Forty-five of them were published in
1753. They were afterwards revised and remodelled, and published
in complete form by the Rev. John Smith, D.D., to whom also we
are indebted for the best version of the Psalter. During the
second and third generations of this century, the Paraphrases,
through no lack of life or poetic merit, fell into disrepute in
some Highland districts, particularly in the north-west, through
theological controversies in whose train rather mechanical theories
of inspiration began to be introduced. These views, hitherto unknown
among the Gaels, now followed out to their logical issues, led to the
rejection of all hymns of mere human authorship in public worship.
This result, however, is only temporary; and in its operations
confined to certain circumscribed districts.
THE PSALTER.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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