Dr Mike Sanders and the hymn book
A selection from what has been identified by a University of Manchester academic as the only surviving Chartist hymn book is to be performed in public for the first time since 1854. English literature lecturer Mike Sanders came across the 'National Chartist Hymn Book' in the local history section of Todmorden public library, containing 16 hymns sung by the radicals who campaigned for democracy and workers' rights. The concert, performed by Calder Valley choir Corista, will take place at the people's History Museum in Manchester on 24 September where Sanders will also give a talk about the find. The event marks the anniversary of the Great Chartist Meeting at Kersal Moor on 24 September 1838. According to Sanders, Chartist hymn books were designed for the movement in an attempt to produce their equivalent of the standard Hymn book: 'Hymns Ancient & Modern'. While Chartist historians know of two earlier attempts to produce a hymn book for the whole movement - Cooper's 'Shakespearean Chartist Hymn Book' and Hobson's 'Hymns for Worship' - this collection has not been discussed before. Heavily influenced by dissenting Christianity, the hymns are about social justice, 'striking down evil doers' and blessing Chartist enterprises, rather than the conventional themes of crucifixion, heaven and family.
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