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

when ne speaks OF the better-turnlShed
tables of our neighbors," that the Bible
is meagre, compared with the Prayer
book To its boundless stores every
Presbyterian Gas well as every other)
minister has access, nor is he slow to avail
himself of its resources: not, indeed with
the sameness of repetition, but with the
infinite variety which it at once allows
and affords.
To quote further: "To make the
preaching of the gospel consist exclusive
ly In the delivery of sermons is the fatal
mistake of Presbyterianism and again,
There is more of Christ in the Ze Deuna
and the Litany alone, than is commonly
found In two entire Presbyterian SER
wees. One is tempted to wonder and
inquire .'ohere Presbyterian church has
been found in which the service has con-
sisted exclusively in the delivery of SER
mons, for, as we have shown above,
prayer, praise, and the reading of the
SCRIPTURES all find place; also, to de-
plore, as well as wonder at, the unfor-
tunate experience of the obiector to Pres
byterian modes of worship, that he has
known two entire Presbyterian services"
containing less of Christ than is to be
found In the Ie Deum and the Litany.
The Presbyterian or any other minister
who fails to set forth Christ does not full
I'll the idea and the first necessity of
preaching. Paul wrote to the Corinth-
lans, we preach not ourselves, but Christ
Jesus, the Lord" in another chapter he
says that he knew nothing among them
save Jesus Christ and Him crucifed::"
Yet, he did not draw this pathetic pic
ture, and then leave his hearers to stand
afar off and admire it; rather, he "per-
suaded them to rely upon and embrace
this Saviour. Acts xvii: 2, Paul, as
has manner aOaS,-three Sabbath days
reasoned with them, out of the Scrip
lures" is not this preach5ng9 Acts xviii :
4, He reasoned every Sabbath, and per-
suaded the Jews and Greeks" Acts xiii ::
43, Paul and Barnabas, speaking to
them, persuaded them to continue in the
grace of God" Acts XIV: 80, Judas
and Silas, exhorted the brethren avith
maany aOordS." Acts XIV: IL, "Barnabas
and Paul declared what miracles and
wonders God had wrought" as a means
of persuasion. But, it is needless to null
tiply examples. Paul did not think ex-
hortation, persuasion, and reasoning, in
compatible with preaching Christ and
Him crucifed." AS regards the Litany
numbers of souls there are who can wor-
ship devoutly and acceptabIy through
this medium-there are meultitudes more
to whom these "repetitions" are "vain"
and wearisome, and with whom they de-
generate into mere form. Therefore,
let not Liturgy be one of the gifts
to be coveted" by our Church what
ever in it is inspired, we already possess;
1n3 we, ,oan, enjoy (oe wn could not. if
trammeiled by Liturgy the largest lib
erty In its use; whatever in it is of hu-
man origin would not improve our ser
vice, or conduce to it's spirituality. We
are in accord with Professor Hopkins, in
his admiration of that noble composition,
the Ze Delno in it is set forth Christ
as incarnate, as crucifed, as risen and as
cended. [ have before quoted "There is
more of Christ in 1t and the Litany alone"
ETC.; bnt is there more of Christ in it
than in the oratorio of the Messiah"
that almost divine" marvel of Handel's
sacred art? Multitudes assemble every
Christmas in our large cities to listen to
1T; they admire the majestic sweep of its
sublime choruses, the tender pathos of
its recitative "He was despised and re-
Jected of men, and the glad triumph of
its resurrection anthem 81 know that my
Redeemer liveth; the emotions are deep
ly stirred the heart is touched and even
thrilled, but, is it led to respond ooh q
Lamb of God, I come, I come? We
could wish that it were so; but the writer
has never heard that it has brought souls,
burdened and penitent, to the foot of the
cross.
In closing, we cannot forbear express
ing the wish that the hand of the spoiler
may spare this historic, this martyr
Church. Conservation of the truth through
the ages, copied after the primitive, apos-
tolic model in purity of doctrine, form of
government, and even Gas we have rea-
son to believe) form Of worship; would
that we could add, conformed in its mem
bership to the self-denying, unworldly
lives Of the early Christians } may her
ministers be even more than ever conse-
Grated to their high and holy office; may
they be clothed with salvation" and
their feet shod with the preparation of
the gospel Of peace" Behold her fair and
stately proportions, her beautiful SIM
plicity We say to the passer-by Come
with us, and we will do thee good" I'll
you are too cultivated and tasteful" to
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