The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1883-03-28
The Conduct of Divine Wor-
ship"

Inc above caption formed the subject
of a conference held by, the London
Presbytery recently Rev. w JR.
Roome presided. The subject was intro
duced by the Rev Charles Monet. who,
while he did not advocate the use of a
liturgy in public worship, pointed out
that such mode of service had formerly
been the rule rather thar the exception
among Presbyterians. The Church should
adapt itself to the ever-chanpino pos
lures of the times Their service Should
be made as suitable as possible to the
English people, and they should not be
afraid of any Improvement because it
might c, have been adopted by the Angli-
can Church. But he was opposed to
hasty change, for they as a Church had
history which they should be careful
to preserve, and their history had ever
been struggle for freedom. The sing
ing should be correct and refined, and
the prayers often stood in need of i'm
provement. While he deprecated the
use of hturgical service, he strongly
favored partial liturgy for the Lords
Supper, marriages, and baptisms. He
was also in favor of a much more fire.
quent celebration of the Lords Supper.
DR.. Dykes. opened the discussion, and
contrasted the Improvement which had
been affected in the mode of conducting
worship In England compared with that
practised thirty years ago in Scotland.
What they now needed was a. public
confession Of the Christian faith. The
addition of brief creed and portion
for. the young would leave little to be
desired in their services. The Amen"
should always be said by the congrega-
ton, and it would be an advantage if one
brief prayer-the Lord prayer would be
best-could also be said by the people.
Progress in religious feeling, and expert
ence should manifest itself from the be-
ginning to the close of the service. 1t
was pity that both baptisms and the
Lords Supper were so often driven to
the end OF service when people were
weary. A brief, terse, well-prepared
baptlsmal service was much needed. Sir
George Pechell favored the reading of
the creed, the Lords Prayer, and Ten
Commandments, and asked if the Church
should not make some provision for those
of her members who objected to the use
OF alcoholic wine at the Lords Table
Mr.. Turner suggested the reading Of the
Psalms alternately by minister and peo-
pie. DIR. Paterson felt that the use of a
liturgy indicated lack of praying power
on the part of minister. Rev. D.
Matheson advocated the making OF the
reading of the lesson more profitable
portion of the service. Rev. R. Bal
garnie did not think that the proposed
creed would ever be adopted by their
congregations. Nor did he think it would
be right to put the words of creed into
the mouths of some present who might
not have made any profession of faith.
He leant to the use of the Ie Deum,
which, to large extent took the place
of creed. Mr.. John Bell said what
they needed was TO cultivate more re-
sponsive spirit on the part of their peo-
pie. Mr.. Donald Matheson thought if
there was any drowsiness during the SER
vice, it was occasioned by the sermon
rather than by the devotion. DR.. Walter
Morrison remarked that the primitive
principle was very simple, and there was
considerable freedom. He was not in
favor of liturgy They had freedom, and
let them keep to it. Their people, how
ever. should say "Amen." Rev. Profess
sor Graham pointed out that whatever
suggestions had been made that night,
as far as Presbyterianism was concerned,
were by way of restoration rather than
innovation. They should look upon the
sermon as being the very cream and
focus of the whole act of service. 1t
should gather the whole thing into itself.
and throw it back upon the people.
Ministers should never go into the pulpit
without knowing what they were going
to pray DR.. THAN Davidson thought
ministers should pay more attention to
the minor refnements and elegances of
public worship. Congregations also
needed a few hints, and might be the
better for reminding that much advan-
tage would arise from their being
church few minutes before the service
time. DIR. Rentoul deprecated long
prayers and short sermons. DR.. Donald
Fraser said the educated people of Eng
land liked liturgy, and it would be
necessary for Presbyterians to pay more
attention to the requirements of public
worship. The elements of prayer might
be recognised by them, but were they al
ways attended to? He feared not. They
ought to have an understanding about
the order of service, and the manner in
which different portions should be in
troduced. He did not believe liturgi-
cal service was best. The discussion was
continued nv Meeare Pau1 and Pneeal1