New-York tribune., 1883-11-04
PRESBYyERL1N WORSH[P.

In the current number Of The Presbyterian
Reriec the Rev. Dr Patterson discusses in vigorous
style The question whether or not liturgy which pro-
yidcs pf prayer and responsive worship, and
which observes what called the great Christian fcsti-
walls is consistent WITH permissible in, Presbyterian
worship And he decides, what appear TO nc strong
arguments that such mode OF worship is entirely con-
trary the genius OF PrcshVtcrianlsm II is pos
sible here To give all these arguments in full but few
Of them may be briefly noticed.
He first states that liturcal form Of vorsip is un-
scripturu and that there authentic
cords Of nurcs during the first three centuries Of the
Christian era Iiturcs he says, grew with the decay
of the spiritual life nnd of Intelligent and educated
ministry with the ovcrshadowing advance Of hcr-
archcs and with the increasing lcavcn Of sacTmentar
ianism" But aside from the historical argument
Dr. Patterson believes that there IL something In the
PRESBYTERIAN system which Is alien to this form OF WOT
ship In the words of DR. Shields the genius of presby
terry the world cannot endure any thing mOr strtn
gent than directory or system OF general rules and
suggestions"
Lastly the audibe responsive feature Of itnrgical
wurhip is both childish and unphilOSOphical" The
spOnSive reading OF the Scriptures is hardly known ont
side OF the Anglican Church. IL is relic Of monastic
- babel of noises is utterly subycrye of the idea of
worship Even In the English Church at the present day
It has largely ceased ana the oid custom OF singing mas
In rciid to the keeping of ecclesiastical festivals Dr.
such practice. is contrary to the spirit Of the New
Testament dispensati0n, and mtcricres with the due
holiday.
In the Of his argument Dr. Patterson meets and
denies the statement shat the Episcopal Church has
gained in membership because Of its liturgy. In fact he
does not appear Ia think that this body has made any IN
crease 20 speak Of compared with the Presbyterian
Church. that II certainly has especially attracted
the cultivated and tasteful" In his opinion the Pres
byteran Church has need for itlrgic worship
If other churches do need IT, Bnt Il does need higher
and better development Of the idea OF worship along
old lines The clergy, he thinks, should be taught in the
scmnarics that worship Is much part OF Christian
religious service as preaching.
This article will probably attract much attention, both
inside and nntsdr the Presbyterian Church For at the
present time there is undoubtedly strong tendency
toward liturgic form Of worship In all nOn-urgiC
churches IL Is not perhaps too much 20 say that DR.
Patterson Is here sounding note OF alarm Mt tho growth
Of this tendency which he in his communion.
Representative Prcsbyterians Of great emnence have
Acknowledged the power that iDhercs In liturgy
Many have not hcstaed TO say that plastic form
OF liturgc worship Il desirable In the Presbyterian
Church. And who Is a careful observer OF the
times fail To that lturgcs and ceremonies and
elaborate music and the observance OF hOydys,
y any means confined To the Roman Catholic and Epis
c0ya churches The fOndness for ornate and stable
form worship appears 20 be part Of the general
movement OF the age and the Presbyterian Church, like
all other Institutions Is simply carried along with the
tiCl,