The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-02-02

per that the number OF these topics should
be reduced, rather than increased. In
deed, there are some of our best people
who would prefer to dispense altogether
with this enumeration of topics, and to
have form Of prayer which would en-
brace them all, to be used at the discre-
ton Of the officiating minister. Both the
old and the Revised Directory are care
full to say" Whilst we do not approve
Of combining ministers to set or fixed forms
of prayer for public worship, yet it is the
Indispensable duty of every minister to
prepare and qualify himself for this part
of his duty, as well as for preaching"
But where, after all, is the difference be-
tween such form of prayer in public
worship" and in the administration of
baptism" chapter III. The admins
tration of the Lords Supper" chapter
~ The funeral service on occasions
where there is no officiating minister pre-
sent, chapter VI and the marriage
ceremony chapter VIII-in all of which
form OF prayer is prescribed? Would
not the foregoing suggestion of form of
prayer to be used or not at discretion.
meet the views of both sides-those who
object to any prescribed form, and those
who object to the long, and often con-
fused and irreverent prayers that we
sometimes hear from the pulpit?
Having thus noticed fault of red,tn-
dancy In this chapter, | will now refer to
one of OMISSION in saying nothing on the
subject of posture IN prayer and other
parts of public worship. The Directory
now in use is equally silent on the sub
ject, but why should it be so? All will
admit that uniformity and decorum are
important In all parts of public worship,
especially in prayer and singing. But is
it not true, that in these latter days there
has been a growing tendency to want of
uniformity in this respect, amounting
sometimes to indecorum, on the part Of
the worshippers in our churches, as COM
pared with the more grave and reverent
manners of our forefathers? And is not
this especially noticeable in the posture
in prayer? In former times, it was
thought that sitting in prayer was both
unseemly and irreverent; and that stand
ing was the proper posture in that part
OF public worship. But of later years
leaning seems to have become almost uni
'NAS0'A oi'o 10, lCiuluS Tie uedu Oh Uu0
pew Immediately in front, which is about
half way between sitting and standing.
AS sort of compromise between these,
it may be allowable to the aged and in
firm; but for all others, the old fashioned
Presbyterian posture of standing in pub
lie prayer is much more decorous and
reverent; and direction to this effect
would be an improvement in the Direc-
tory.
Chapter II, "Public Worship on other
occasions-Q) On days of Humiliation
and Thanksgiving; (2.) Prayer Meetings;
(3.) The Sabbath School" will, as the
writer thinks, be generally regarded as
an important improvement on the pre-
sent Directory.
One more number will conclude all
that have to say in the way of criticism
Of the Revised Directory, and my criti-
clsms and comments will be confined to
chapter III, especially to the introduce
ton Of the Greed" to be repeated in the
Form of Baptism for Adults and
chapter vi, "The Burial of the Dead 4"
F. J.