Evening star., 1932-12-19
CATHEDRAL OFFERS
HYMN COLLECTION
Stebbins Deposit Available to
Qualified Students for
Reference.

1Hc present quest IOT UctUSI hymns
may bring students Of sacred music 10
music which not long ago became the
property of Washington Cathedral.
The so-called George Coles Stebbins
deposit in the Cathedral library at
Mount St. Alban was gathered by the
Rev. DR.. John BENJAMIN Clayton, for
mer pastor of the First Baptist and I'M
manuel Churches, and given by him in
honor of the man whose name 1t bears,
famous hymn-writer once associated
with the noted evangelist, Dwight l..
Moody.
Twenty-one evangelical preachers
who developed one kind Of hymn book
or another are represented in the list.
OF less eminent singing evangelists and
composers there are many titles. some
copies being autographed and nearly
ent generation. In addition to the
books there are about $4,000 hymns
and songs. separately printed. gath
cred from many sources. alphabetically
arranged. and placed in loose-leaf bino-
ers to permit desirable insertions or ex-
cisions."
Dr. Clayton Quoted.
Writing in The Cathedral Age, DR..
Clayton says. The aims OF the Steb-
bins deposit have been inclusive and
conclusive-to include all and exclude
none Of the varied manifestations OF
evangelistic song, thus furnishing an
ample and unbiased mass OF material
for the study of the origins. develop
ment and distribution of the gospel
hymn. The collection. therefore. has
a place for every typical mode Of spirit
ual life in America, all church afiilia-
tions and sects, religious brotherhoods
and societies With this comprehensive
assemblage of thousands of gospel songs
are to be found both the classical
church hymns as we'll as contempora-
neous secular songs. These three groups
the church hymn. the gospel song,
and the secular song-are essential to
any appraisal Of their interrelations in
the cultivation and expression Of the
religious life"
George Coles Stebbins, Dr. Clayton
explains. is Christian of the old school.
His works. fame and influence are CO.
extensive with Christian evangelism and
missions during the last half century.
He Is still composing new songs OF the
Christian life in the radiance of his
87th year. He was one of the earliest
members of the great original Moody
group. He was the gospel
singer, choir leader conductor and COM
poser in memorable campaigns con-
Quoted not only by Mr. Moody but also
by Maj. D. w. Whittle. DR. George F.
Pentecost, George c. Needham and DR..
J. Wilbur Chapman
Joins Moody Group.
Born in Western New York State In
l846. Mr. Stebbins was working with
Mr. Moody Ira D. Sankey and P. p
Bliss in Chicago in 1870. He became
director OF music at Trement Temple
Baptist Church. Boston. in 1876 In
the Summer of that year" he has writ
tel. Il had occasion to spend a few
days with Mr.. Moody at his home. in
Northfield. and while there he broached
the question Of my becoming associated
with him and Mr.. Sankey in their evan
gelistic work. which resulted in my re-
signing my position in the Temple and
entering upon work In the evangelistic
field. which continued in more or less
intimate connection with Mr.. Moody
until his death, at the end of 1899. just
as the new century was dawning" Mr..
tebbins was associated with Mr.. San
key and James McGranahan in edit
ing Moody's Gospel HYMNS"
In the Cathedral deposit are the orig
inal manuscripts Of a number OF Steb-
bins compositions, including Evening
Prayer" only a Little While" Be
yond the Smiling and the Weeping" "
Yielded to God" Some Day" BY
Grace Are Ye Saved" Eye Hath Not
Seen" and Just for Today"
Eminent ministers and choral direc-
tors recently have declared that better
hymns are wanted for modern church
use" 1t has been suggested that GER
tain Of the old compositions might be
revised and revived to meet the need
The Right Rev. James E. Fireman,
Bishop of Washington, has indicated
that the Cathedral authorities will be
happy to cooperate with any qualified
students who may wish to consult the
Stebbins books and papers.