INTRODUCTION 17 THE PLACE AND IMPORTANCE OF THE HYMN. The Impulse to Sing Is Constitutional in Man. Biblical Authority for the Singing of Hymns. The Use of Hymns in the Development of the Christian Church. Cultural Value of Hymns. Spiritual Value of Hymns. The Value of Singing Hymns Too Often Overlooked. The Need of Emphasis on Efficient Use of Hymns. PART I THE CHARACTER OF THE HYMN CHAPTER I WHAT IS A HYMN? 25 I DEFINITION OF THE HYMN. Importance of Accurate Definition. Inadequate Definition. Definition Must Be Based on Practical Considerations. Types of Hymns. Definition of the Congregational Hymn. II THE HYMN MUST BE POETRY. To Be Poetry, It Must Be Emotional. It Must Have Poetical Form. It Must Be Poetic in Spirit. The Hymn Must Have Unity. The Poetical Element Is Contributory Only. III THE CHRISTIAN HYMN MUST BE DISTINCTLY RELIGIOUS. Poems of Semi-religious Fancy Are No Hymns. Mere Moralizing Will Not Serve. Special Propaganda Is Not Admissible. Christian Hymns Should Be Genuinely Christocentric. IV SCRIPTURAL ELEMENTS OF THE HYMN. Hymns Based on the Scriptures. Use of Scriptural Forms Desirable. V THE HYMN MUST BE FITTED FOR MASS SINGING. Congregational Singing Is a Pronouncedly Christian Exercise. Meter Essential to Mass Singing. VI PRACTICABILITY FOR ACTUAL USE. Ideas Must Be Plainly Evident. Hymns May Not Be Extremely Individualistic. Distracting Figures and Forms of Expression. Verses Must Be Complete in Themselves. Musical Limitations. Outworn Hymns. Mistaken Objections to Some Hymns.