The General Assembly approve of the Report, and record their thanks to the Committee, and especially to the Convener, and to Dr Bruce, Convener of the Sub-committee charged with the revision of the “Scottish Psalmody.”
In particular, the General Assembly approve of the course taken by 1883′ the Committee in proceeding at once to revise the melodies and harmonies CLASS II. of the ” Scottish Psalmody,” and considerably to enlarge it, as being warranted, and indeed necessitated by the communication which they received from the publishers, and by the returns to schedules of inquiry issued to all the Ministers of the Church.
They approve of the book now laid upon their table, and entitled ” The Scottish Psalter,” as containing a large and varied collection of Psalm Tunes and Chants, from which Congregations at every stage of musical culture may select suitable materials for use in praise. They approve of the cut-leaved form, in which the book in both notations has been bound up with the Psalms and Paraphrases, as affording liberty of choice, while they commend to the notice of Precentors the tunes suggested as appropriate to each. They also invite the attention of Congregations to the expression marks, as being calculated to enable them to sing with greater intelligence and feeling.
They further approve of the Psalter being printed in such a form as to admit of its being bound up with the Hymn Book, for the use of those who wish to have the entire material of the Church’s praise in one volume. They instruct the Committee to proceed with the publication of the book in both notations with all convenient speed. They recommend all the Congregations of the Church to use this Collection for the sake of uniformity, as well as on account of its intrinsic excellence. And they remit to the Committee to consider what means may best promote the improvement of Congregational Singing, and in what way the proceeds of the Manuals of Praise might be applied for that end.