The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-09-13
philadelphia Press.I

OPINION OF THE CHURCH WILL BE HAD AT
THE FORTHCOMING GENERAL CONVENTION.
philadelphia Press.
The new EpiscOpalian Prayer-Book, the
work Of the committee appointed for the
purpose at the last General Convention OF
the Church, has Just been made public in
book form, in order that the changes in it
may be thoroughly understood before the
meeting Of the next General Convention
i'm this city in October.
The work OF change, or rather OF en-
largemcnt. for il was the intention OF the
committee to add portions omitted from
the American compilation instead OF intro
ducing new words or phrases, was under
taken at the request OF members OF the
Church who thought the book should con-
tain more of the forms in Use in the Eng
Iish prayer-bOoks.
The original Of both books, as is well
known. is that compiled in ljl9 under Ed
ward VI, though that was composed Of
forms and prayers used in the Church be-
fore the time Of Augustine. The Scotch
Church introduced some changes in the
books used i'm their services, and a. the hrSt
American bishop was consccratcd by the
scotch bishops, the Scotch forms OF prayer
and ritual naturally became those rccoS-
nizcd i'm America. Their principal dlf-
ference from the English was in slight
condensations, which omitted canllcies
and yerSicles and words here and there in
the various services. These omissions
have been often felt, more especially since
the English prayer-books have become
well known in the churches on this side OF
the Atlantic, and the rOvement which cul-
inmates il the publication OF the new book
originated in the desire TO have the more
complete expressions put back again. The
committees worl.. it should be said, Is
merely advisory, and will have to be cX-
amined by The coming convention. Even
if thew do approve OF it, it cannot come
into use until formally adopted by the next
great gathering OF the Church, to be held
three years hence.
TIE CHANGES RECOMMENDED.
The principal changes recommended
begin with the short form of absolution,
which was originally taken from the COM
munion service by Bishop White. The
Bishop disliked to use the first or longer
form, and brought in the sccond-the one
now generally used-to suit his own
opinions. In the new book it is taken
out entirely. as being declaration
more appropriate for communicates than
n general congregation, and words less
decided in character have been sub
stituted. The Mdgnifcat and Aunc
DimiHis are added TO the canticles
in the form for morning prayer, and
the mention OF the Presidents name in
the prayers somewhat changed in form.
The original wording follows that OF the
English PRAYER for the sovereign, but the
change makes the reference less 10 the per-
SON and more to the office OF chief magis-
trate OF the people. The reason for the
change is supposed to be the temporary
character OF the occupation OF the Office.
4 netition for the Government Of a kind
similar To that for the English royal family
is also added to the litany.
I'm the form for evening prayer the same
change in the shorter abSolution is used,
and the yersicleS III general, rs in the morn
ing prayers, are brought nearer 10 thosc III
the En@lish books. The English third col
Icct. beeinning "Lighten our darkness -
is added. The PSalter is divided by semi
colons for chanting, though the pointing.
Inv indicating words for emphasis, Is omit
ted out of regard for The differing opinions
Of cboir.masters. Several additional pray
CTS uIt EiNtll lih'N NhNii-
special occasions and Thanksglylngs, and a
very important change is made IN the III
PRODUCTION of a collect, epistle, and gospel
for Transfguratioh-Day These forms for
that day were in use in the prayer-books in
the early days OF the Church, but history
saws that they were taken by one OF the
popes TO add to the services on his birth
day. When the book met with its next re-
vision they were found in the wrong place,
and probably dropped out altogether. The
Communion and Baptismal services under,
90 little or no change, but the Matrimonial
service has received the addition OF several
words, designed, in these days OF easy dl-
vorccs, to make its pledges more binding:
The beautiful service Of Burial OF the Dead
is left as it was. Other changes brought in
here and there will hardly be noticed, eX-
cept by careful students OF the book.
On the Committee OF Enlargement were
Bishop Williams, OF Connecticut; Dr.
( Huntingdon, of Worcester, Mass; DR..
/ Moran Dix, OF New York, and other
well-known clergymen, and it is expected
that their work will receive much attention
at the coming assembly, which begins its
sessions October 9TH in Trinity church.