This dissertation argues that the life and ministry of Basil Manly Jr. had remarkable impact on the spiritual lives of Southern Baptists. His ability to transform people through the diversity of his labors, which he personally felt were too broad, continues to exert meaningful sway upon his denomination, and more broadly, American evangelicalism. Manly must be remembered as a central figure in the establishment, shaping, and preservation of many of the enduring institutions of the Southern Baptist Convention—Sunday school, hymnody, and theological education—all while not compromising historic, orthodox beliefs of the church. By reviewing his primary sources, this dissertation develops a cohesive understanding of the themes and practice of piety demonstrated in the life and thought of Manly. The introduction explains the importance of Manly’s life, ministry, and piety in light of his influence within the Southern Baptist Convention. Chapter 2 analyzes the impact of the teaching and preaching of his father and the spiritual tradition that became known as the Charleston tradition with its emphasis on Calvinistic theology, orderly worship, and, most significantly in Manly’s life, an educated and professional clergy. Chapter 3 studies the influences upon Manly in the development of his piety during his theological education at two Northern institutions. Chapter 4 discusses the role of Manly played in the establishment of a Sunday school in every Baptist church for the conversion and spiritual growth of all but especially children and young people. Chapter 5 explores Manly’s work as not only a hymn writer but also an editor and compiler of hymns. The hymns written, tunes composed, and the hymnals edited by Manly are marks of a rich spirituality of worship. Chapter 6 examines Manly’s view of Scripture, chiefly his understanding of the doctrine of inspiration. Chapter 7, the conclusion, discusses the long-term impact of Manly not only on the Southern Baptist Convention but several Southern Baptist institutions. Manly’s piety, grounded firmly in and fashioned by Scripture, was instrumental in shaping the piety of future generations of Southern Baptists.

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. / This item is only available to students and faculty of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. If you are not associated with SBTS, this dissertation may be purchased from <a href="http://disexpress.umi.com/dxweb">http://disexpress.umi.com/dxweb</a> or downloaded through ProQuest's Dissertation and Theses database if your institution subscribes to that service.