The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1900-05-28
PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY.
TH1RTY-NINTH ANNUAL SEES
SION CLOSED SATURDAY.
Meeting Was One of the Most I'm
portant Ever Held by That Body.
Resume of the Work.

The thirty-ninth annual general assem-
bly, OF tho Southern Presbyterian church
which closed its labors Saturday, after
being In session nine days In Atlah'a'
transacted large amount of routine ouS-
mess and took definite action In regard
to its cor stituency.
perhaps the conclusion reached by the
body as TO the publication of complete
new hymnal for general use In the south-
ern Presbyterian church Will most inter-
est members of the denomination. ms
matter has been under consideration Tor
several years and for the past two years
the actual work of compilation has been
I'm progress. Since its organization nearly
forty years ago. the Southern PreSpSte-
rian church has had no hymnbook bear
ing the official sanction of It's mShest
court and none that was generally ac-
cepted as denominational by Its membcr-
ship. one book entitled Songs OF the
Ages came nearest TO tho latter desld-
eratum. but its use was not universal
The copyright of the book was purchaser
by the general assembly year ago.
and its most popular selections VIII DC
incorporated ia the new official hymnal
as will be those of three or four other
hymn books used IN the church.
With the opening of the new century IL
Will answer the insistent demand Tor ono
book which embodies every song dear 10
Southern Presbyterianlsm, the Atlanta
general assembly having practically com
pletcd .'veis arrangement TO that ehd,
even TO details of publication Before
final action is taken on gust what hymns
the book shall contain. complete INDEX
and advance sheets containing every
selection that would come under the head
will h.s "a
prcsbyteries, ana through them It is eX'
pc ted that the SESSIONS will make known
the desires of the masses OF the church
Il is not anticipated that n lack of unity
viii chiracterize the review of the COM
mittee's work by the congro cations.
The committees having in charso this
particular work has faithfully ami eIii-
cicutly performed the duty intrGstcd to
IL, and IN the Judgment Of cXrerts IN
hymnJlogy anu cnIrch music, what IL
will ofIer to southern PrcsbyterianS vii
DO the most perfect hymnal eXtant. The
musical arrangement Is under the direc-
tion of accomplished musicians and prac-
teal orgau.sts, and the entire Work may
be said TO represent the best efforts OF
specialists. The susgeticns ana prefer
ences Of the rank ana ne have been care
fully considered, ana great raias have
been taken 10 preserve the hymns anu
tunes endcdred 10y long Use.
Inc plan set on foot 10 raise century
fUHd' OF round million dollars Tor the
promotion OF the educational and other
work Of the church al nOnfe ana abroad
VIII no doubt Dc earnestly indOrSea apd
prosecuted Dy southern PrcsbYLerlans.
The committee intrusted with the great
undertaking Is composed of The best eE-
ecuUYe anu working talent OF The church
at large. ana IL Is sale 10 predict that
the hIsh-Nater mark in the history OF
contributions 10 bcnellcence Will be
feached.
Inc action taken by tho general as
sembly on home and foreign missions was
along the lines OF progress. Inc reports
OF the executive committees having IN
charge these important departments OF
Christian effort was thoroughly eN-
amined and GNnaustiNely discussed. The
condition revealed py TINS examination
was on the whole gratifying, although
much remains To DO done before tne ma
chlnery Of cVauSeliZauJn II IN primo
working order. More missionaries are
needed III The foreign nclu, ana more VIII
lie sent The increased sum Of 100000
IS required Tor elective service, ana II
ana the Indian territory present the
most needy Held In homo missions. The
latter section is reported TO be Veritable
Macedonia crying for help. Special ef-
missions in the southwest the
present year.
The religious phase of the great race
problem comes close nome TO southern
Presbyterianlsm and the general assembly |
IS striving To meet its duty in "A practical !
manner. Industrial schools have been
found 10 DO a failure, and conventional |
education promises nothing for the future |
of the negro An ad interim committee !
was appointed to make a careful inVesti- !
cation OF what other religious denomina- !
lions are doing in the south toward the |
Chrlstianizatlon OF the brother IN black, |
and ii IS expected that its thorough study |
OF the veXed question viii result in some |
practical plan being adopted when the |
Little Rock general assembly hears its |
report.
No -octrinal issues were considered by |
the general assembly and no unusual |
features entered into its deliberations, |
which were digniiied and quite harmoni- |
Gus.