The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-12-03
M. E. Conferences Work.

The most interesting feature of the morning session of today at the Ala bama Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, was a short inn promptu address by Bishop Goodsell on the new hymn book prepared by a commission composed of representa- lives of both the Methodist Episcopal Church South. The bishop said that this hymn book would probably be ready by Easter, and the announcement will be received with interest by members of both branches of the church.
 In speaking of this new hymnal, Bishop Goodseli said that the commits | sion had gone through the songs in about two hundred hymn books and had selected those deemed best out of the entire list. He spoke of the per- feet harmony with which the represen- tatives of the two branches of the church worked together and related an incident to show how beautifully this spirit of harmony figured in the work. He said that there was Some little fear that differences might arise over the first hymn in the book. For years and years the first hymn in the Methodist Episcopal hymn book had been, "Oh, For Thousand Tongues to Sing" while in the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. the first hymn had been, Come, Thou Almighty King" When the point was reached where the first hymn was to be decided upon and 1t was shown for how many years the first hymnals of the services of the Methodist Episcopal Church, the mem bers from the Southern church agreed that 1t should go first in the new book. and thus 1t will appear, while Come. Thou Almighty King" will be second
 The Bishop declared that the new hymnal would be a vehicle of congrs- gational worship, the songs not havinx x been arranged with view of furnish ing the choir. He said that there would De no doggerel poetry in the hymnal. put that 1t would be filled with the noblest hymns of the different churches full Of inspiration and noble poetry.
 Bishop Goodsell referred in feeling terms to the harmony and perfect good feeling existing between the two branches of the church and expressed gratitude that the time was at hand when they would be singing the same songs. studying the same catech.sm and following the same church order. thus being one-in spirit if not one in fact.
 Something of the work of the com mission in preparing the hymn book soon to be issued was related by the Bishop. The first meeting was held in Nashville, the second at Plymouth Rock and the last at Washington. There was, he said. a perfect unity of spirit and no one would have dreamed that two churches were at work
 Referring again to the two branches Of the church. Bishop Goodsell said that he remembered in 1S44 when his rather came home and said with tears Tn his eyes that the church had been divided. and now 1t was a source of gratitude to him to see the harmony which prevailed. Let none," he said.
 hinder this fraternal spirit. We must love each other in Heaven and we might as well learn to do 1t here"
 Brief reference was made by tha speaker to the work of the Methodtst Episcopal Churchk among the negroes of the South, and in this connection he declared that he was part Southern er." having been in the South for six teen years, and he understood the peo- pie and the conditions. The only de- sire of the church was to make good citizens of this difficult and peculiar people. He had received assurances from leading Southern bishops that the work of the church in this connection was abundantly justified.