National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-04-09

Herewith. 1t cannot move without the Church,
and as ministers Of the presbytery they are
bound to aid In the work
Elder Miller favored forming societies In the
churches.
DIR. Mitchell said 1t is necessary to work for the
soul and body Of men, and not one without the
other. rt.
Professor NOursc was much pleased with the
Work done in Mr.. Little's church, and strongly
favored forming societies in the churches.
DR.. Chester moved that the churches be recon-
mended to form temperance organizations within
the church. Adopted.
RESPONSIVE SERVICE IN THE cHrRCH.
The next subject was "AdvsabilIty Of rsspon-
sive services in churches"
DR.. Mitchell said it is left with the presbytery
to devise means Of worship, and he could not see
why it could not act on this saeiect He thought
the more that can be given = congregation to do
in taking part in O service, the greater will be
the responsibility and the more interesting 1t will
be foT them. By our listening to.prayer the true
| idea of worship is not brought out. He thought
responsive service prepares them to appreciate
the sermon, and brings them more into the Chris
| tlan circle and opens their hearts. The congre-
CATION will be sympathetic. SO far as he has
studied this matter it has beena distinction OF the
Protestant against the Catholic Church.
He has never heard o good reason why respon-
sive services should not be adopted. He has
heard 1t said that it was too much like the Episco
pal church. He asked why harm could result from
the responsive services n the Episcopallans do
use It; they are worshipping the same God as the
Presbyterians are.
| DIR. Chester said something was needed to bring
the people nearer to God. He favored the people
taking more part in the exercises than they do
A good mode of worship for the Presbyterian
church is wanted; the great trouble is that people
20 to church to hear preaching, and set through
that without being able to take any part in the
services. The highest authority from the courts
Of the church is given for responsive services He
thought the church would gradually come up on
the subject. He favored responsive reading Of the
Scriptures, which would cause the people to bring
their Bibles to the churches. He also favored the
repetition Of the Lords prayer and the creed. He
| thought nothing could be grander than to hear
a congregation reciting the creed. Some say that
it will lead to ritualism; he differed, but thought
it would be the reverse. He thought it would be
but few years before the church would adopt
the service. 1t is done in other cities.
| DR.. Noble said the two speeches made him very
sad. God never gave his Scriptures to be read as
an act of worship; he gave his word as reVela-
ton.
Dr. Mitchell. Is there not great deal to please
the eye in the BibleP
DR.. Noble said that obJect-teaching was fraud
He believed that instead of a change in the wor
ship change Of the spirit is needed. He differed
with the previous speakers and believed response!
is not what is wanted.
DR.. Mitchell. Does your congregation generally
pay attention.
DR.. Noble. Yes, sir. A generation will b
trained by this method to formslity, and the pTac
tical working Of this thing will be that all atten-
tion will be on the verso they are going to read
and not think Of the one the preacher is to read
He thought 1t great perversion.
DR.. Mitchell. Had not they better read one thar
! none2
DR.. Noble thought they had better read all.
DR.. Little favored the responsive services.
DIR. S. H. Howe also favored the responsive ser
vice. He could see nothing in the Bible objection
able to it. Additional interest would be added
to the worship by such service.
Dr. Little Endorsed all that had been said.
DR.. COombs did not think any action should be
taken until the "Oonfcssion of Faith" was
changed, as it provides for form of worship.
Elder Bohrer opposed the responsive service
and thought promiscuous reading would not be o
benefit.
Rev. Mr.. Henderson said It seemed to him that
he was in an Episcopal convention instead of g
| Presbytery. He was satisfied with the service
as it q ow is and desired no change
DIR. Bittinger thought it would be. unwlse to
press the question.
Prof Wescott submitted the following:
RESOLVED, That the idea of responsive service II
in accordance with the tradition and genius o
Presbyteriansm, and that liberty In this regarC
is in accord with the history of the Church.
| Adopted.
Mr.. Smith offered o resolution returning thank
to the ladies Of the Metropolitan church for their
kindness towards the Presbytery. Adopted.
The Pres6ytery then adjourned until the irs
Tuesday in May, to meet in the Fourth church.