Pocket Hymn Book

Pocket Hymn Book (1787)   The history of A Pocket Hymn Book begins with a production by Robert Spence, a bookseller in York. In 1781 Spence had earlier, to John Wesley*’s disapproval, printed a much shortened version of the 1780 Collection of Hymns for the Use of the People called Methodists. The 1780 book was expensive, and Spence saw an opportunity. He added ‘about fifty hymns by other authors popular in evangelical circles’, reduced it in size, and printed it as A Pocket Hymn Book, designed as a constant companion for the pious (1783). John Wesley responded with a volume entitled A Pocket Hymn Book for the Use of Christians of all Denominations (1785), a volume designed to supplement the...

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