Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1882-03-11
Ecclesiastical and scriptural n otes.
BY A LAYMAN. - SNOW HILL.
(Coadnued.)


ence that is required to a pious and
acceptable prayer. "-SoUTH.
Is there an essence of religion, sine
q0a non. in form Of prayer? Certainly
not, unless it be in the Lords Prayer,
and even the general use of this ac-
cording to the Gospel is not essential.
But are there any advantages in pre-
composed short forms of prayer and
is their tendency to humility, especially
in public worship?
Surely this query must have an at
frmative answer. \ brief form of
prayer has the following advantages,
the effect of which must be, in most in
stances and perhaps generally, hui
mility: /. The person who prays ac-
knowledges the language is not his
own-at least this is ordinarily true.
?. 1t therefore precludes all effort at
eloquence. 3. The mind and heart
are on the prayer itself instead of being
engaged in the composition Of words
for the prayer. When the prayer IS
perfectly committed to memory, even
without written or printed formula,
the results are usually IN paH the same,
and it may be said to be form.
The precept and practice Of the great
head Of the Christian Church, our
SAVIOR Jesus Christ, constitute one of
the strongest arguments in favor Of
liturgical services. In attendance upon
the Jewish service for many years he
had been accustomed to Liturgy
Consequently, when he gave his dis
ciples the property So called Lords
prayer, it was an example in great part
of pFe-Composed words, it having been
derived from the Jewish liturgy, with
some change Of arrangement and Slight
addition of words. When one of the
disciples requested him 10 teach them
q to pray as John also taught his dis
ciples, he said TO them, " n hen ye
pray, say, Our Father who art in hea-
ven, hallowed be thy name, etc. The
doxology of this prayer For thine is
the kingdom and the power and the
glory for cyer') Is believed to be de
rived from I Chronicles 20, II
Thine Q lord IS the greatness and
the power and the glory; y
thine IS the kingdom O Lord"
When the Savior was cruciied, his
language on the Cross 10 the Father
was not extemporaneous in tie orli-
nary sense. He then said, " Ny God,
my God, why hast thou forsaken me p
From 2sd Psalm of David And his
last words were, -" Father, into thy
hands commend my spirit" (3Ist
Psalm.)
?. Two sermons a day. In my
humble judgment meetings should be
held or churches open more I,r short
prayer, Scripture reading, and sacred
music than for sermons. incubation
Of belief with The mind and the heart
that "Christ Jesus came Into the world
to save Sinners" and 4 knowledge Of
the commandments, are what IS re-
CURED, and j, matters not whether il
be accomplished by a sermon or other
means. BESIDES sermonizing, there
are other ways of execution OF the in
junction to preach the gospel CSt Mark
10, 49,
Appropos, will here remind thc
reader that the word in The Greek tes-
lament, corresponding TO the word
preach in the gospel according to St.
Mark 10, IS, is Kgynxote, "a person
plural imperative of h,rasso or kerutio,
which means simply to preach, teach,
publish, proclaim, declare or deliver
Two sermons each day for many
consecutive Sundays are too much for
most men: | mean too much, not for
all, but the majority of men. Especially
is this true where there is apathy in
hearing and hesitation to preach the
same sermon repeatedly. Many people
prefer not to hear the same sermon
twice, and nevertheless do not object
to hearing the same Gospel read TWEEN
ty times Moreover, the minister who
breaches SO frequently, feeling CON
strained to introduce and treat great
variety of topics, unless he has extra
ordinary power of mind and physical
strength, is induced to speak of things
which it would be prudent and expe-
dent to omit
Mental and physical suffering ensue