The daily state chronicle. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 188?-1891, 1891-04-09
WHAT THEY THINK OF IL.
METH0DIsT EEyIyFs TALK OF
DR. LEES LETURGICAL
SERVICE.

Gently deviated from the usual Metho-
dist form OF worship a1d opened service
with the liturgy.
This seems to have created deep in
terest among many congregations Of the
Southern Methodist Church, and they are
discussing it enthusiastically. The
CHRONICLE Ga yesterday interviewed the
several Methodist divines who CHANGED
to be in Raleigh, on this seemingly new
departure from the usual method Of
worship, and asked them their opinion Of
the same. The result was as follows:
DIR. Gordon Expresses his Views.
10 rely to your inquiry. | would re-
fer you to Chapter 9th. page 125 Of our
Discipline. Under the captoin of pub
lie worship, tho question is asked:-
What directions are given tor unifo1-
nifty in public worship?
The answer Morning services shall be
conducted inthe following ORDER
l. Singng-the congregation stand
ing,
2. Prayer-the congregation kneeling
| 3. Reading lesson out Of the Old les
lament and another out Of the New
4. singing-Congregation sitting.
5. Preaching.
6. Singing-Congregat standing.
7. Benedction.
The evening service shall be the same
as the morning except that one Of the
lessons or both may be omitted at the
discretion Of the minister
The RITUAL consists Of certain forms
Of service for the Lords supper, baptism,
reception of members, matri.nony and
* br al OF the dead.
However much authority, therefore,
Rev. j. w. Lee, d. D., had for the IN
PRODUCTION Of certain liturgy into the
church Of which he is pastor from the
recommendation Of Mr.. Wesley or the
enactment permitting the sans by the
General Conference Of 1866, he must,
nevertheless, know that the Methodist
Church has for many, many years
looked with suspicion OF foruality upon
1itualism The great danger that con
fronts the Church Of God to day is her
tendency toward that which is only Iotm
without power. True, ia our complex
humanity spiritual life must take some
form, but form is valuable only when
life has vitalizad it. Now, the object Of
every church service is to bring the soul
into closer relations TO God. Will DE-.
Lee better accomplish this end by the
addition Of the authorized ritual Of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, South ?
Nine tenths Of all the Methodists
in the Southern church would an
sGeT negatively. Usage would be against
him as you will see when sou think OF
the comm0tiou his use Of it has pro
e daced do not fear contradiction when
2 | say that ont Of the many thousands OF
. Methodist congregations, not score car
J bo found in one Southern church who
: have adopted the ritual used by Dr. Lee
/ and why? because Of their recognition
e of the natural tendency as cited above
. DR.. Nash's Views on the Innovation
With regard to using liturgy IN ou
worship / have this to say: | believe i
has tendency toward Journalism. | al
d aware that Mr.. Wesley complied lit
l. urgy for the Methodist Episcopal Church
l. and when it was organized in 1854, i
e adopted the prayer book that he pre-
d pared and recommended. Bishops AS
E. bury aud Coke used gowns and bands
IS after the fashion Of the Episcopal Churcl
j. but it was soon found that these sym
-
spiritual Methodist Church, aud the
were discarded There is no objection
to The book Of common prayer per Sc |
contains sone OF the best form
OF prayer, and all through
hreathes a true christian spirit; bu
the history Of the past show
that the tendency Of the church
toward Journalism, and these write
forms Of worship helps ia this direction
I believe that the Methodist preacher
should strictly adhere to the form {
worship prescribed in the discipline, an
use<our ritual in every case where tt
discipline enJoins its use. But furth'
than this, | am opposed to readjr
prayers ia our regular service.
What have said must not be CO
strueo as reflection On the worship
any sister church. | write what thu
is best for Methodist people, with no il
tention of rejecting on any one else.
DIR. Frank Reid's Views.
REV FRANK L. REID, D. D., editor +;
eigh Christian Advocate, stated IL repl
You ask me what think Of Dr.. Les
using the liturgy in his opening servie
at Park Place Methodist Church in
lanta, Ga I attach but little importar
to it It is not an innovation on Me-
odism at ALL In the early days Of Me
odism this opening service was freque
" used-much more so than at pre3e
and, learn. it is now in use genera
among Methodists in Great Britain.
has not been many years sll
th.s opening service was used
North Carolina. The Methodist chu
at Rockingham, N. O., used it not M
years ago. Methodism is not tied
forms. It glories in simplicity aud
its adaptation to all classes Of peoF
We have a form of worship laid doWr
our Discipline, but great many OF
20 ministers do not observe even t
ay strictly, though it is as simple a
III could be made. There is 20 desire
mere set forms and ceremonies in
church. II has been the glory Of Mt
odism that it is equallyat home undf
bush arbor aud in magnificent Ca
dral, in the hovels of the poor and in
palatial residences of the rich. 1t
'sest live and grow With forms and cere
even nies, or it can prosper without them
lied. Rev. Edward L. Pell's Views
hree Rev. Edw L. Pell, pastor OF the ID
, ont odist Church in Frankliuton, who