(Kroh, Henry). Reformirtes Gesangbuch : oder, ein auszug von 270 lieder aus dem Reformirten gesangbuch, ausgewählt und eingerichtet, besonders zur öffentlichen, doch auch besondern erbauung...&c. Libanon, (Penns.): Gedruckt für den Verfasser, 1829. First Edition. [9914]
Full sheep, spine title label & gilt lines, binding scuffed yet sound with good joints, 10.4 x 6.5 cm (4 1/8 x 2 5/8 inches), green waxed paper bookplate "Private Library of George C. Stahl" on front end paper. (xvi), (1)-416, (xiv) pp., counted and complete. Good. Full leather.
Compiled by Henry Kroh, Printed by Joseph Hartman in Lebanon, Pennsylvania.
German language hymns plus register, no music.
A translation of the title yields, "Reformed Hymn Book, or Extract of 270 hymns from the Reformed hymn book, selected and arranged for the edification of all lovers of public as well as private devotion. With an appendix of 13 other hymns, prepared by a friend of lively singing in public worship."
"Another extract from the Synodical hymn book was published in 1829 by the Rev. Henry Kroh, pastor of the Reformed Church in Lebanon...The text of the hymns remained unchanged and to facilitate the use of both hymn books, the number of the hymns as found in the Synodical hymn book was also added. In the preface the compiler mentions two reasons which induced the publication of the smaller hymn book of 1828. The Synodical hymn book is said to be too large, hence few had carried it to church and as a result congregational singing had suffered. Secondly, the Synodical hymn book had been too expensive. Both of these supposed defects were remedied by the new publication." - Hinke, William J. The Early German Hymn Books of the Reformed Church in the United States, Journal of the Presbyterian Historical Society, December, 1907, as found at JSTOR online.
The Synod did not approve of these private compilations from their book and ruled against them in 1829, expressing their "disapprobation of the course pursued by some brethren, and its wish that in future no member of the Synod should introduce a collection of hymns in public worship, besides the books used, and approved by the Synod."
This pronouncement thus ended the publishing of private compilations, such as the one we offer for sale here.
With a signed provenance card from the music collection of A. Merril Smoak, Jr., DWS.
