A.M.E. Hymnal with Responsive-Scripture Readings Adapted in Conformity with the Doctrines and Usages of the African Methodist Episcopal Church

First revised edition thus. Octavo. 448pp. Black cloth stamped in gilt. Owner's large pencil name on front flyleaf in red pencil, scattered foxing on endpapers and few leaves of text, else a very good, bright copy. Uncommon in this edition, with the new introductory statement by Bishop Gregg dated 1950 explaining a lag in negotiations between the A.M.E. and the A.M.E. Zion Churches for a combined *Hymnal* to be used in both churches. Much expanded from earlier editions, the text includes the music and lyrics to 473 hymns, a new "Option Order of Service," "Responsive Scripture Readings," and a section on the history of "Methodist Hymnody." Additionally, two leaves of publisher's introductory text, "Our Revised Hymnal" and "Publisher's Word," provide a brief historical sketch of the evolution of the church's hymnal, and explain the need for this revised, expanded edition, which was proposed by the 1940 General Conference, stating, "The plates were received by the Manager of the Book Concern in February, 1941 with orders to have the new hymnal ready in ninety days. When the book was nearly completed, we received orders from the Chairman to withhold completion of the book pending a plan to have a joint hymnal by the A. M. E. Church and the A. M. E. Zion Church. The book is still in the making. N. B.: As the progress of the combined Hymnal between the A. M. E. and the A. M. E. Zion Churches has lagged, the Bishops of the A. M. E. Church in Council at Jacksonville, Florida, February 15-17, 1950 ordered that the 'Allen A. M. E. Hymnal' shall now become the official A. M. E. Hymnal of the Connection.", signed in type by J. A. Gregg, and dated March 1, 1950.…