The hymnological contributions of Basil Manly, Jr. to the congregational song of Southern Baptists

Abstract

This dissertation examines the contributions of Basil Manly Jr. to the congregational song of Southern Baptists. Chapter 1 provides an overview of the study, introduces the hymnals compiled by Basil Manly Jr., and identifies his contribution of original texts and tunes to the repertory of Southern Baptist hymnody.

Chapter 2 focuses on the collaboration of Manly Jr. with Basil Manly Sr. in the compilation of The Baptist Psalmody (1850). The first Southern Baptist hymnal was developed in response to the dominance of The Psalmist (1843) in Northern states and the need for a comprehensive hymnal suited to congregational singing of Baptists in the South. The Psalmist's omission of popular hymns and the opposition to this hymnal are discussed in detail. "Standard hymns" among Southern Baptists of the mid-nineteenth century are identified through comparative analysis of the period's most significant Southern Baptist hymnals and tunebooks. The Manlys' editorial values are discussed and the contents of The Baptist Psalmody are contrasted with those of The Psalmist .

Chapter 3 concerns Manly Jr.'s first musical compilation, Baptist Chorals (1859). It was intended to promote congregational singing among Baptists at large and designed to serve as a tune complement for both The Baptist Psalmody and The Psalmist . Notable aspects of Baptist Chorals include Manly Jr.'s philosophical preface on congregational song, the juxtaposition of old and new tunes with multiple texts at each opening of the hymnal, and a standardized musical format.

Chapter 4 examines Manly's Choice (1891) and its musical edition, The Choice (1892), as compendiums of evangelical hymnody. Manly Jr.'s efforts to disseminate their repertories of historic texts and tunes among Southern Baptists of the late nineteenth century are discussed. Finally, the contents of The Choice are compared with Southern Baptists hymnals of the twentieth century.

Chapter 5 draws conclusions on the significance of Basil Manly Jr. in the development of Southern Baptist hymnody. The twelve appendixes include first-line indexes and tune indexes to Manly Jr.'s hymnals, lists of "standard" hymns among nineteenth-century Southern Baptists, the complete prefaces to his hymnals, and a presentation of his original hymn texts and tunes.