Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-09-15
THE REVISED PRAYER-BOOK.
EnIarging the Lftany OF the Pr0tes-
tant Episcopal Church-The Changes.

EnIarging the Litany OF the Protes-
tant Episcopal Church-The Changes.
From the Philadephta Press
The new EpscOpalian 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 made in it may be Thoroughly
understood before the meeting Of the next
general conference in this city in October.
The work Ofchange, or rather of enlargement,
for it was the intention of the committee to add
portions omitted from the American compilation
instead of introducing new words or phrases.
was undertaken at the request Of members OF
the church, who thought the book should con.
tain more of the forms in use in the English
prayer-bOOks.
The original Of both books. as is well known.
is that complied in 1549 under Edward vi.
Though that was composed of forms and PRAYERS
used in the church before the time Of Augustine
The Scotch church introduced some changes in
the books used in their services, and as the first
American bishop was consecrated BIZ the Scotch
bishops, the Scotch forms of PRAYER and ritual
naturally became those recognized in America
lheir principal difference from the English was
In slight CONVERSATIONS. which omitted cantjcles
ana vefsicles and words here and there in the
various services. These omissions have often
been felt. more especially since the English
prayer books have become we'll known in the
churches on this side of the Atlantic and the
movement which eliminates in the publication
OF the new book originated in the desire to have
the more complete expressions put back again.
The committees work, it should be said is
merely advisory and will have to be examined
by the coming convention. Even If they do ap-
prove Of it. it cannot come into use until for
maly adopted by the next great gathering of
the church. to be neld three years hence
The principal changes recommended begin
with the short form of absOlutiOn which was
originally taken from the communion service by
Bishop White. The bishop disked to use the
first or longer form. and brought in the second
the one now generally used-tO suit his own
opinions. In the new book it is taken out en-
treiy. as being declaration more appropriate
for communicates than general congregation,
and words less decided in character have been
substituted. The ''Macnificat" and s.Nune
Dimittis' 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 to the
person 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. A petition for the
government of kind similar to that for the
English royal family is also added to the litany
In the form for evening prayer the same
change in the shorter dissolution is used, and
the versicles in general as in the morning
prayers are brought nearer to those in the
English books. The English third collect. be-
ginning Tighten our Darkness" is added. The
Psalter is divided by semicOlOns for chanting.
though the pointing, by indicating words for
emphasis. is omitted out of regard for the dit
1ering opinions of chOir-masters Several addi-
tlOnal prayers are given place among those used
for special occasions and Thanksgivings, and
very important change is made in the introduce
ton of collect, epistle and gospel for Transfig-
uration 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 birthday.
When the book met with it's next revision. they
were found in the wrong place, and probably
dropped out altogether. The communion and
Daptlsmal services undergo little or no change
but the matrimonial service has received the
addition of several words, designed, in these
days OF easy divorces 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 except
by careful students of the book.
On thecommittee of enlargement were Bishop
Williams, OF Connecticut; DR.. Huntingdon. Of
Worcester. Mass; DR.. Morgan Dix, of New
ork, and other well-known clergymen. and it is
that their work will receive much at
tention at the coming assembly, which begins
Its sessions October 5th in Trinity church