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  WHERE HAVE THOSE HYMNALS GONE?
  by A.W. Tozer
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Summary: The Bible is the most essential book for a Christian, and a
good hymnal is the next best companion for the soul.

Topics: "Devotional Life", "The Importance of Hymns"
Scripture References: Psalm 34:8, Psalm 119:105, Ephesians 5:19, Colossians 3:16, Hebrews 4:12

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DESCRIPTION
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A.W. Tozer emphasizes the vital role of hymnals in the devotional life
of Christians, asserting that after the Bible, a good hymnal is the next
best companion for the soul. He highlights the Bible as the essential
book for spiritual nourishment, warning against neglecting it, which
leads to error and spiritual starvation. Tozer advocates for the
importance of a true hymnal, filled with timeless Christian hymns, as a
means to enrich worship and devotion. He expresses a deep personal
connection to this topic, urging believers to cherish both the
Scriptures and the hymns that have shaped their faith.

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CONTENT
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In order to express myself more freely on a matter that lies very near
to my heart, I shall waive the rather stilted editorial we and speak in
the first person.

The matter I have in mind is the place of the hymnbook in the devotional
life of the Christian. For purposes of inward devotion, there is only
one book to be placed before the hymnal, and that of course is the
Bible. I say without qualification, after the Sacred Scriptures, the
next best companion for the soul is a good hymnal.

For the child of God, the Bible is the book of all books, to be
reverenced, loved, pored over endlessly and feasted upon as living bread
and manna for the soul. It is the first-best book, the only
indispensable book. To ignore it or neglect it is to doom our minds to
error and our hearts to starvation.

After the Bible, the hymn book is next. And remember, I do not say a
songbook or a book of gospel songs, but a real hymnal containing the
cream of the great Christian hymns left to us by the ages.

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/aw-tozer/where-have-those-hymnals-gone/
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