Hymns of the Advent Harp: Designed for Believers in the Speedy Coming of Christ. Pocket Edition
Boston: J.V. Himes, 1850.
3.25 x 5.25 inches, pp iv, 331, [12] (index of first lines). Contemporary calf binding with black spine label. Chip to head of spine, rubbing to extremities, one signature partially sprung; very good.
Compiler Joshua Vaughn Himes (1805-1895) was a dedicated social reformer, publisher, and promoter of the teachings of millennialist preacher William Miller. After meeting Miller in 1839, Himes became convinced of the imminent return of Christ, and in 1840 he began publishing the first Millerite newspaper, The Signs of the Times. He organized camp meetings and conferences, published hundreds of Millerite pamphlets (including the first Millerite prophetic chart), and organized a lecture tour for himself and Miller. With Josiah Litch, he published the first Adventist hymnal, Millennial Musings, in 1841. After the "Great Disappointment" (when Christ failed to return in 1844), he worked to guide the movement forward. Reflecting one of the inevitable schisms of that period, Hymns of the Advent Harp, which first appeared in a larger-sized edition in 1849, was published specifically for those who persisted in keeping the Sunday (rather than Saturday) Sabbath. According to the Preface, this pocket edition "retains all the pieces that have been considered valuable [and] replaces many pieces that have been seldom sung, with new pieces that have never appeared in any other collection." Seven copies of this edition located in OCLC.
Item #19753
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