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Nestled in the back of the Annie Gabriel Library at California Baptist University rests the P. Boyd Smith Hymnology Collection (room 118). Behind its locked doors is an immense variety of hymnbooks and hymn-related texts that boast nearly 400 years' worth of music from around the world.
What are Hymns?
Hymns are essentially poems written to be read and sung in praise of God. They have undergone major transformations over the past few hundred years, such as shifting their topics and adding music. They were debated among the various denominations until they soon became nearly nonexistent within the modern church. Those who still study hymns are delighted by the poetic meters and beautiful lyricism they offer. Hymnists like Isaac Watts helped popularize the hymn and the ways in which we know them.
Who was P. Boyd Smith?
Alive from 1895-1970, P. Boyd Smith was the founding president of the then California Baptist College in 1950. The works available in this archive are from his personal collection that were donated to the school by his family after his passing.
What's Available?
With approximately 1000 works to make up this extensive collection, those interested will find a multitude of hymns by hymnists like Isaac Watts, William Cowper, Homer Rodeheaver, John Newton, and Fanny Crosby, among many others. The oldest piece available is The Whole Booke of Psalmes by Thomas Sternhold, published in 1606. No longer contained by a binding, it is in loose-leaf format but still in exceptional condition for its age.
In addition to the hundreds of English translations, other translations are also present like Chinese, German, Japanese, Arabic, and Greek, showcasing the impact of hymns around the world.
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