David's Companion, [2d ed., 1810]

ASMI 181 

David's Companion, or, The Methodist Standard: being a choice selection of tunes adapted to the words and measures in the large hymn book, and designed for the use of the Methodists throughout the United States. Containing a variety of tunes, from the ablest authors, to all the metres now in use in the different churches, many of which have never before been published in America. Selected by James Evans, New-York.

'O sing unto the Lord a new song.'-Psalms.

To be had of the publisher, 156 Broadway; of John Totten, Chatham-Square; at the Methodist book-store, New-York; and of all the Methodist preachers. [T-p. decorated with cut.]

4 p.l., 162 p. p. 1-162 engraved.

[1810.] Copyright granted, 28 July 1810, District of New York, to Evans as proprietor. Endorsement dated Baltimore, 26 May 1808. 1st p.l. recto, t-p.; verso, copyright notice; 2d 1. recto, endorsement; 2d 1. recto & verso, 'Preface'; 3d 1. recto & verso, 'Index By Metres'; 4th 1. recto & verso, 'Alphabetical Index'; p. 1-162, music. 'Dear Brother, I am directed by the General Conference, to signify to you their decision relative to your proposal of compiling a music book, for the improvement of singing the praise of God, and as a standard for regulating that important branch of divine worship, in the congregations of the Methodist Episcopal Church in America. The conference being sensible of its usefulness, are willing to encourage it; and approving well of the specimen you sent them, as it respects style, harmony and execution, and expecting the work in general to equal it, they feel warranted in recommending it to our societies and congregations, should you proceed in it as your proper concern. [New par.] I am your affectionate brother in Christ, Francis Ward, Assistant Secretary.' (Endorsement in full.) 'Our Bishops recommend the reading of the Discipline, next to the Holy Scriptures; discipline being the cord that binds us together, which if allowed to slacken, we shall dwindle away and die.... Let us read then the section in our discipline upon singing, page 45. It is there to be seen that the Methodists, from the beginning, have had a book of tunes peculiarly suited to their Hymns and Congregations. [New par.] The Compiler of this work being sensible of the utility of such a book, especially for the Methodists in the United States, and possessing a great variety of materials, sent a proposal to the General Conference, to publish a standard book, either on his own account, or as an agent for the Conference, of which the above letter is the answer. [New par.]... For the accommodation of organists, most of the tunes are figured. [New par.] A redundancy of fuge tunes has been purposely suppressed in this work, as being (in the opinion of the compiler) very improper for congregations. - See also Discipline. [New par.] The compiler, thinking it very improper in a standard book of tunes to introduce pieces and anthems, has published a separate folio book, containing choice pieces from Handel, Leach, and other eminent authors, and to be had through the same medium.' (Extract from Preface.)

188 compositions for 2, 3 & 4 voices, most w. figured bass; full text. Attribs. 'from Addington' (9), Dr. Arne, Batishill, Beaumont (5), J. Broderip, H. Carey, Chandler, Thos. Clark, Corelli (from Miller), E. [Evans], H.E., 'from Evans, G. F. Handel, Harmonia Sacra (3), Dr. Hawes, Dr. Haweis, Heighington, J. Husband, Jackson, Kirby, W. Knapp, G. Knowles, Leach (46), J. Leach, Martin Luther, B. Milgrove (10), Dr. Miller (7), 'from Miller' (17), W. E. Miller (2), Dr. Nares, Pilsbury, 'from Pilsbury' (2), Purcel, Read, Rippon (3), 'from Rippon,' R. Taylor (2), Temerly, Dr. Watts, Whitton, 'from Williams' (3), Dr. Worgan. 1 1st pr. identified (BETHESDA NEW), also 32 1st Am. pr. (AMARANTHIA, ATHLONE, BROAD MEAD, BURNHAM, DOVER, DOWNPATRICK, EGYPT, GAZA, GLORIA PATRI, GOSPEL, THE GROVE, JACOB'S WELL, JEHUDIJAH, JUDGMENT, THE LAST DAY, LEBANON, LITTLETON, LOVE FEAST, MOURNER, NEWRY, NEW WINDSOR, NORTWICH, PEEL, QUEBECK, SABAOTH, ST. IGNATIOUS, SHARON, SWANINGTON, TEMPERLYS, TOTTENHAM CT., TRAVELING, WANTAGE). 11 Amer-ican compositions, 166 non-American, 11 unidentified [BROAD MEAD, CHESTERFIELD, GOSPEL TRUMPET, THE GROVE, NEW TRUMPET, NEW YEAR'S DAY, PETERS-FIELD, PLYMOUTH DOCK, QUAY ST., QUEBECK, TRUE ELIJAH] (7 attrib. Americans or American sources [FEVERSHAM, HELMSLEY, WEST ST. are non-American in origin], 7 traced [BRIDGEWATER, JORDAN, LENOX, MIDDLETOWN, NORWICH, STAFFORD, WILLOWBY]; 132 attrib. non-Americans, 24 traced). 

28 Core Repertory. 

          S20069 (MWA). ICN, MWA, RPB.