The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-02-15

charity of the gospel which included all
Christians in one brotherhood. In the
conversion Of these Gentiles, in the house
OF Cornelius at Cesarea, he found the en-
torcement of this lesson, and the fulfil.
ment of the vision. But, if we mistake
not, the prominence given to the sermon
is no less significant; and the proof con-
elusive that this is Gods chosen method
for winning souls.
2. To the next question, "Why shouldn't
Gods Word be read by people and
preachers2" we reply that, in our iudg-
ment, the rapid, confused manner of read
ing, where it is responsive, is inconsistent
with the solemnity and reverence due to
Gods Word. To have all the voices of
the congregation in perfect unison is i'm
possible; one hurries on to overtake his
neighbor who may be too rapid, and the
minister rarely waits until the people
finish their verse, but breaks in with an.
other before the preceding one is ended
thus destroying the dignity and solemnity
of the sacred oracles, and violating the
order" which should prevail IN the sane
tuary.
8. "And, if they desire to use the beau
tiful prayer of Chrysostom, or pour out
their griefs in the Litany, will any one
say why they should not be suffered to
do so?" Any one who cherishes this de-
sire can be gratifed by leaving Church
where these forms are not used, and en-
tering the one where they are, whose
doors stand open to receive such. The
Presbyterian minister is not restricted in
prayer to the use of his own words. Ac-
quainted with the varying needs and cir
cumstances of his people, and adapting
his petitions and Thanksgiving to these,
believing prayer to be more " efectual, "
more fervent' when not limited by rou-
tine, but rather when the living heart, in
sympathy with living hearts, leads their
devotions,-where human words are in
sufficient he can and does borrow from
the treasury of Holy Writ, and finds
therein language suited to every need of
the soul. And who will say that the
Psalms of David are too narrow chan
mel through which to "pour out his
grlefs?' Do they not cover every human
experience? What is there, in the way
of alteration, ascription petition, confess
sion which is not here found? And what
burden can Cypress the SOUL or what
grief pierce it with sorrow that finds not
here its counterpart?
Finally, {" 1t takes a great deal more
than a fine sermon to make a profitable
church service; the people of the next
century will meet, not merely to hear a
fine religious essay, but to worship in the
hymns, prayers and Scripture readings
of the ol:5 We do - 1-.,---, =, vi o ;
church the Christian at Work has wor-
shipped, but if he will enter a Pres5ate-
ran church on any Sabbath, he will find,
without waiting for the "next century, +"
that every service embraces "hymns,
prayers, and Scripture readings" Every
Sabbath morning service includes three
hymns, 0our, if voluntary is sung) three
prayers and "ScriL ture reading One
must be very exacting who requires a
greater variety in worship than is found
within the pale of the Presbyterian
Church.
The question arises whether there is
not, in our day, too much of spirit OF
which is constantly desiring
change; seeking, like the Athenians OF
old, some new thing" This love of agi-
tatlon lays It's unsparing hand even upon
the tlme-honored usages and observances
OF the church, to undermine and demol-
lsh. In this connection, the writer would
call attention to an article in the last
number of the Presbyterian Review the
drift and import Of which tend in the
same direction with that of the Christian
ot Wor6 above referred to, and which
might be called plea for the Iiturgical
movement. Without attempting any
thing. like an exhaustive reply, (which
would not be within the scope of our
artlcle) there are some points which it
may not be amiss to notice. Presbyte
Ran ministers are charged with dis
position to borrow scraps and phrases
from the Prayer book, and to place upon
their board, in addition to their own
plain diet, scraps, and even whole
pieces, from the better-furnished tables of
our neighbors.' We were not aware of
this; nor have we ever known an in
stance Of it, through an attendance of
many years on Presbyterian services.
Dur ministers do borrow from the Bible.
but not from the Prayer-book. If min
ster uses David's petition, in Psalm xix
IA, " Let the words Of my mouth and the
meditation Of my heart be acceptable in
Thy sight, 0 Lord, my strength and nv
redeemer, is he " borrowing from the
Prayer book"
II, in officiating at funeral he reads
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