Some of the strongest statements on equality as a command of the Gospels are now coming from conservative, mostly white, Southern religious bodies, which until lately reflected enduring cultural prejudices against the Negro. The newest and most forceful is from the Presbyterian Church in the U.S., which last week concluded its 106th General Assembly at Montreal, N.C.
About 99% of the 946,000 Southern Presbyterians are white. Although the church has condemned segregation beforeat the 1964 and 1965 general assemblies, for exampledelegates this year made it clear that condemnation must be followed by action. Noting that presbyteries...