The DeLamar nugget. [volume] (DeLamar, Idaho) 1891-1900, 1895-07-20

ClI6Q Ill OuI ldcb dltlNAO WiAA SCAA'-H "
many of the value of prescribed forms
in public worship; they would reason
that it WIS the old way and that CEN
turtles of usage had proved it the most
advantageous way. Yet the Church is
not compelled to rely alone upon this
argument but can confront world Civ
en- to believing things new, preferable
to things old, with an argument in sup
port of the practical advantages result
ing from the old mode of worship. To
those who seek not the Oldest .but the
best, the Church wonld recommend
her method on the ground of actual ex-
cellence; believing it superior to any
other method for several reasons. 1t
would be accounted hardship by our
Protestant brethren, were they COM
PEELED to assemble together on Sundays
to listen to their minister sing extern
poraneous hymns; they wish to have a
part in the singing, to be able to join in
the hymns; they would not appreciate
the service which placed the matter in
the hands of one man. Just so the
Episcopal Church prefers to have the
people join in the prayers; she objects
to the conduct resting in the hands of
an individual. Hence, for precisely
the same reason that Methodists, Bap-
fists and Presbyterians praise God out
of book, the Episcopal Church uses a
Prayer Book, a Book Of Common Prayer
out of which the people may join with
the minister in prayer to God. She OBJ
jects to monopoly, wherever found and
manifests her dislike by the title be-
slowed upon the book at the time of The
English Reformation, when the service
was taken out of the ordering of the
clergy alone aud portion given into
the hands of the people in Book of
Common Prayer. But some one would
ask: "Does not the constant repetition
of these prayers degenerate into form
alism?p We readily admit that dan
gers attend this method Of worship and |
foremost among them is that of formal
ism, but would answer this question by |
asking another. Is way helpful and |
advantageous to the many to be dis
carded because the few fail to use it
Alright? Common sense declares no
and demands its retention, at the same
time careful to emphasize the neces-
sity of watchfulness lest mode, profit
able in its right use, should become
harmful through misuse. And, again,
no argument can be brought against pre-
scribed forms of prayer which does not
apply with equal force to hymns. Shall
such well known hymns as Jesus Lover
of my soul,n and Nearer my God to
Thee" be relinquished because long
familiarity may cause them to besung
in formal manner-in spirit other
than that which should prompt the
singing of hymns? Even an extremist
would hardly be prepared to follow his
own reasoning thus far. And SO the
Church's first reason for the adoption OF /
the Book of Common Prayer is that the ]
people may heve their due share in
the service of public worship.
The Episcopal Church further be- !
lieyes the Prayer Book to be ameans of !
securing reverence in public services,
and therefore conducive to the spiritual ,
growth of worshipers. By taking the 3
conduct of the service largely out Of the t
hands of the clergy, and yoicing the !
spiritual aspirations and longings Of G
her members through liturgy, certain 1
inestimable benefits accrue. For instance n
in the form of worship adopted by many c
the congregation is dependent upon
one man; the whole ordering of the SER y
vices rests with him. Unfortunately, n
this is not always well, for the worship Ii
ers are apt to suffer through the inn s.
perfections oftheir minister-prejudic c
poor ideals and sup rrfciality may operate n
10 retard rather than promote spiritual a
growth. Ignorance, occasionally, pre- G
vents any healthfu entrance upon the ii
1evotioDs; prayers are made which v
serve to amuse and fail to edify. This n
Is not infrequently the case with those h
who seek to lash themselves into a 8,
frenzy Of devotion by their much and Sc
ragical speaking. Wishing to guard b
against this, the Church lifts her SER s.
vice to plane unaffected by the spirit A
lal heat and cold Of the individual; she to
axes such precaution that her worship hi
s not affected by the size of congre-
cation or the feelings Of a minister. q
She offers liturgy which is at all times in
md in all places and by whomsoeyer te
conducted, religious, reverent and up h.
fitting. But even where intelligence, in
sense of the fitness ofthiugs and sim it
.eritu nrevalla daen sniritnal hannht 90