The DeLamar nugget. [volume] (DeLamar, Idaho) 1891-1900, 1895-07-06
The Idea of Worship.

The great difference in the conduc
of the services of the Episcopal Church
and those of other bodies, is very no.
ticeable. In fact the difference lie g
marked one and springs from diver
gence of ideas.
In many protestant bodies the great
est emphasis is placed upon the preach
ing and the singing; these constitute
the service, while in the Episcopal
Church much time is consumed by min
lister and people in reading and singing
from book. the sermon being in some
respects minor portion efthe services.
Indeed, to many, the Episcopal service
is wearysome and unnecessary; they
have never been accustomed to it and
find it altogether contrary to their no.
tons of what is proper.
Now, what apology can the Church
offer to its critics? She would say, in
the first place, that her members at
tend her services with two purposes in
view; first to worship Almighty God;
secondly, to get help from God. These
two motives are kept in view. 1t is
generally admitted that many men and
women of the world attend church SER
vices, merely to receive entertainment;
they place the church upon level with
the concert hall or theatre and demand
from the minister the same amusement
they expect from some new singer or
actor.
This spirit, if we mistake not, is COM
mon among protested christians; traces
of its existence may be found in the
marvellous homage paid to pulpit eio-
quence, in the craving for entertaining
music, etc. Especially is this the case
when preaching is made the prominent
part of the service; people attend from
a purely selfish motive, for what they
can receive and enjoy, opera chairs are
introduced that they may enjoy in the
utmost comfort.
How prevalent this spirit is, many do
not appreciate, and how grievious is the
effect produced, many do not care to
contemplate.
Now, against this the Episcopal
Church would guard and hence, she
emphasizes the idea of worship.
Her members are taught to attend
public services, not for what they may
receive from the preaching and the sing
ing, bat that they may give something
to God, may make an offering to Hin of
''prayer and praise" and may eonse-
crate themselves to His service.
So, the motive urged by the Church
is an unselish one and, of course, such
a motive would not appeal to any who
are merely in search of recreation and
excitement.
Another object which the Church
teaches is to be held in view, though
the second place, is the pur- /
pose to learn more of the will of God. s
First, however, is the idea of wor- {
hip, of giving, and, secondly, the idea /
If receivingi both are urged by the {
Church and opportunity for the exer-
Use of both desires is afforded by the
ervice. g
The service is in proportion, not g
merely consisting of preaching nor of a
'rayer and singing, but provision is p
made for both, although the emphasis s
; put upon the worship rather than :
pom the teaching or instruction given. Il
This is why the Episcopal service is Il
( such nature as it is, and the reason of g
be dislike oft On the part of many is
ecause they fail to attend divine SER il
ice with the thought of worshiping ST
+od. They are seeking their own de- h
ght, what may please their fancies
nd tickle their senses; their thoughts So
re upon themselves and not toward "
cd. ST
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