The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-10-11
Revision of the Directory for
Public Worship"

0OAAN w Va sap
In the current number of the Catholic
Presbyterian there is an article under the
heading given above, by the Rev. DR..
Steel, of Sydney, which deserves more
than a passing notice. 1t is too often
forgotten that we have a Directory for
public worship-that John Knox himself
introduced the Book of Common Order
which had been used in Geneva, with a
few changes, adapting it to the state OF
Scotland. And so it is that in this age
of restlessness and change there is to be
seen tendency on the part of not few
within our Presbyterian Zion to do that
which is right in their own eyes, and, to
use the words Of Charles Kingsley, "that
which is wrong too.
Now, we are no advocates for a rigid
uniformity; for a stiff and inelastic
ritual. But there is an ecclesiastical
slovenliness, a thoughtless slipshodism Of
arrangement and observance to which we
are determinedly and conclusively OPP
posed. The Apostles directed that all
things should be done "decently and in
order" and thus it was that our Re-
formers, while delivering the burdened
consciences of Christian people from the
heavy yoke of unscriptural ceremonies
which had been imposed upon them,
took care to provide for the orderly
ministrations of divine worship. Hence
the Book of Common Order authorised
by the General Assembly of 1864, which
continued in use for one hundred years,
and which was never formally abolished
hence the Directory for Public Worship,
prepared by the Westminster Assembly,
which practically superseded it, with the
view of securing uniformity in public re-
igious services throughout the United
Kingdom.
This Directory occupied the attention
Of the Westminster Assembly from May
to December, 1914. 1t was sanctioned
by the English Parliament in January,
1915. On February 3rd the General
Assembly of the Church of Scotland
ratified and approved of it, and ordained
that it be carefully and uniformly OBJ
served and practised by all the minis
tiers, and that printed copy be kept for
every kirk in the kingdom, and that
every Presbytery should have printed
copy and take special notice of its OBJ
serVance or neglect in every congrega-
ton. From that time to this the Di-
rectory has been substantially and
additionally the guide to most of the
Presbyterian churches of the world in
their public worship. We say, sub
stantially and additionally for, as a
matter of fact, to thousands of Presbvte-
rians the Directory is as unknown ter
rltory as was Tel-el, K ebir till few DAYS
ago. Yet substantially its provisions
and directions have been for these two
hundred years and more pretty generally
respected.
That it is not well-known and faith
fully followed is, we believe, a serious
detrlment to the establishment of many
OF our Presbyterian people in their dis
tlnctlve principles. We often hear the
question asked, How comes it that our
ttorefathers-the generations that went
betore-were more Loyalty attached to
their Presbyterian principles than many
OF the men of this generation And
they were so loyal to their distinctive
principles that the Establishments or the
trowns Of those in power were alike i'm
potent to move them by hairs breadth
from the faith of their fathers. But 50
it is not now. Well, doubtless, there are
many causes. operating to draw our
people away. Education under Epis-
copal control, the influence of fashion.
the desire to be free from all ecclesias.
teal restraint and discipline, &c. Yet il
our people were more distinctively
trained, if they were familiarised all the
way through with the forms and order
Of their house, if they were encompassed
with the network of their own Presbyte-
Ran system as well as with the spirit
and principles of that pure Christianity
which it is its object and its honor to un-
fold, they would be so encased with the
armour of the Kingdom that the shafts
and snares which pursue them in their
pilgrim life would not overthrow them
O., In the slightest degree entangle them
The Directory is not altogether perfect
but careful attention to its order would
accomplish much for our Presbvte.
rlanism. We shall have something more
to say on this subject in our next issue
Belfast Witness.