It's great to have this available. This 1927 edition appears to be a joint JW Sargeant/G Morrish reprint of JWS's 1913 'New Edition' (88 pages). In 1905 he had issued a 'New and Enlarged Edition' (84 pages) which is the same as this one minus the last three hymns but including Thomas Kelly's "Lord, accept our feeble song!"
The first edition of Praise Songs is undated [annoyingly typical of 'Brethren' !] but must have been c.1895. It comprised 56 pages and finishes with J G Deck's "Soon will the Master come" and had about half a dozen hymns substituted for others in the later editions.
Praise Songs was the first publication to feature the tunes of Miss S. M. Walker, Joseph Revell, the elusive Mary Sidney Cooper, and Janet Harriet McNair (1874-1961).
Actually, Steve, I think this hymn is an original by Frances Bevan. According to her Hymns of Ter Steegen, Suso and Others (1894) it was written at "P.G.", that is, "Princes Gate" her London home at the time. But it is one of those written by 'Others' (in this case, herself). It is not a translation from the German of Paul Gerhardt but appeared as “The Bride” in A Voice to the Faithful (1871), vol. 5, pp, 63-4. Its theme and content are quite different from Gerhardt's compositions and none of his hymns has yet come to light that might be suggested as a candidate for its inspiration.
Key to initials (where known) in Praise Songs:
C.L. = Charles Leflaive
E.E.P = ?
E.L.B = Edward Lawrence Bevir
E.W.T. = Evelyn Wilbraham Trench
G.H. = Gertrude Helyar
G.W.H. = ?
G.T.S. = Gerhardt Ter Steegen
H.K.B. = Hannah Kilham Burlingham
L.J.M. = ?
J.H.McN. = Janet Harriet McNair
J.R. = Joseph Revell
Pearie (sic) = Dearle
S.E.McN. = Stuart Edmund McNair
S.L. = ?
S.M.W. = Sarah Matilda Walker
W.H. = ?
W.P. = W. Pinsen
If any can help supply those still unknown, it would be appreciated.
