The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-03-24
BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER.
Rev. DR.. Webb Delivers the Third
Lecture OF the Series.


Lecture OF the Series.
Rev. DR.. E. T. Webb, Of st. Paups
church, Minneapolis, occupied the pull
pit OF Christ chruch last night and de-
hvered the third of the series Of lec-
lures on 1.-THE Book Of Common Pray
err" to be given under the auspices OF
this church. Rev. DR.. Webb's subject
was "The Prayer Book in the Reforna-
ton" It was an admirable review of
the influences at work during the ref
ormatton, more especially in England,
and an eloquent tribute to the rever-
entail spirit. lofty purpose and broad
charity Of the religious heroes Of that
great epoch in the worlds history.
The prayer book, DR.. Webb said,
was the product Of the Reformation.
He then dwelt upon the Reformation as
a movement, social and religious, and
discussed in a highly interesting and
instructive manner the pre-eXisting
materials cut of which the prayer book
was created, through the impact Of the
Reformation. In describing the varf-
GUS modes of Christian worship, DR..
Webb said that the Eucharist must al
ways be the principal act of Christian
worship. But there were other ele-
mentS Of worship. Think Of the mo-
nastic worship! To live the higher life,
these recluseS fled from the world, and
by cruel austerities they sought to
maintain unbroken their communion
with heaven. But this system had it's
evils. Men grew weary Of the world.
The lecturer drew a graphic picture of
the life Of self-abnegation led by these
monks, who abjured all the comforts
of the world
The origin of the missal, the litany,
and other books of religious service,
finally leading up to the book of COM
mon prayer was traced in an inter
esting manner. The history of the re-
vision of the offices of the church was
also set forth.
Another result Of the Reformation
was the translation of the prayer book
into the language of the people. This
helped to create and increase demand
among the people for a service they
could understand. And finally came
the translation of the Bible from the
dead languages to a living language.
England led the world in this work by
centuries. The speaker described in
poetic language the villagers focking
to their church, where a copy of the
English Bible, they were too poor to
buy, could be found, which they vera
free to read.
DIR. Webb spoke Of the ceremonies
and SuperStitionS which were gradually
dropped, such as the masses for the
dead, the exercising of demons, the
dressing of images and the worship Of
the Virgin Mary. which, the speaker
said, had become excessive. Continu-
ing with the progress of the Reforma-
ton, the lecturer pointed out the sig
niffcant events that at last perfected
the Book of Common Prayer"
The differences between the prayer
book of Edward VI. and the prayer
book Of today were pointed out. Many
still preferred the prayer book of Ed
ward vi. The subsequent revisions Of
the prayer book were passed over with
the briefest illusions
DR.. Webb closed his lecture with an
eloquent tribute to the prayer book.
It was a Catholic book. Under every
circumstance was not the expression
of the soul of a religious man here re-
produced? Even the creed, was it not
a history? Its sentences ring with
the heavenlines CT saints, grow with
the saintliness of heroes!
What beautiful memories 1t recalls.
How devOut and eloquent the lftany!
Is there amy burst Of happiness, any
depth Of penitence that it's words do
not express ?''