Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-06-17
ORDER OF WORSHIP
METHODIST EPISCOPAL BISHOPS
IN FAVOR OF UNIFORMITY.

METHODIST EPISCOPAL BISHOPS
IN FAVOR OF UNIFORMITY.
Bishops Henry w. Warren and John M.
Walden. appointed by the board Of bishops
of the Methodist Episcopal Church to urge
in their behalf the use of the common order
of public worship In all churches of this de-
nomination, speak as follows:
1.-THE same order of divine service may
now be used each Sunday In more than
forty thousand Methodist churches in all
parts Of our land-north. south. east and
west-and other parts of the world. This
desirable usage is made possible through
the authorized and authoritative prepara-
ton Of a common order of worship by the
joint action of two commissions, one APP
pointed by the general conference of the
Methodist Episcopal Church and one ap-
pointed by the general conference OF the
Methodist Episcopal Church South This
order is in our discipline and a part Of 1t,
and will appear in the hymnal prepared for
the two Methodisms.
While Methodism was one throughout
our country there was such uniformity in
It's order of worship. Wherever Methodist
might go he found In the Methodist congre-
cation the service with which he was ia
miliar-the service which made him feel at
| nome. however lar the pastor was re-
moved by the itineracy, he did not have
new service to learn. and the bishop, on his
remOtest visits. whether in the city or the
country, was not dependent on prompter
in conducting the public service. We may
rejoice that the time is at hand when
wholesome uniformity in public worship is
being restored to Methodism.
After this adoption a few individual
churches will need to forego some usage
which has come to be priced by them, but
this will be amply compensated by the adj
vantages in which the millions of Metho-
dists share through the observance of their
common order of worship. Where this
order in its extended form is followed it is
found to be both full and rich. combining
the best forms of inspiring devotion and all
that can be properly observed in the time to
which Methodist service should be limited
Obligatory Forms.
ITO secure the widest adaptation the more
essential parts of worship are made obliga-
tory, while the others are optional. The OBJ
ligatory parts-praise, prayer, lessons from
the Holy Scriptures, the offering and the
sermon-have their place In all Protestant
churches. and are vital to q service in
which God is to be honored and through
which the WorshiperS are to be spiritually
edited and instructed in the truth. These
obligatory parts were deemed essential by
the fathers of Methodism, and for genera
TONS formed the whole of their public wor-
49, CO. NJ" al dH6cu, lndhe
the simple and beautiful service both help
full and impressive
1T begins with the singing of hymn,
INC peopie staHoing, ana while so engaged
late corners The singing turns thouebt
nioii ~. .n secuIai 10 the sacred, and pre-
tho n,,hiic $500 MI, " snale ~ splrlt IN
with the Lords PRAYER. in which ali sbou1d
audibly join. By this time the Scripture
lessons. distinctly and impressively read,
We neatu win qulcKened interest The
neonle are nrenared 70 noaIa that 80 .HI
offering an act Of sincara Hnrsh;r ~ -,
canon6 h,,,,n ,,,s+,tn. 70 up. ne
Mill daanen H. So,aatio,,o1 e, - spiritual,
when the nreacber baoins hi se.,,, ~ 't Nc
conpreoatto hotb IN n,ird Ia go ti 'i ne
recentive frame '''0 anu "e"i = 10 Al
.uTha a,soa.iI % ,,,
,r.,,nn cn;t. , ~ -. ing seiN!Ee, pfaIse'
and 3ha eInosi.tor So ~ iIee-Wii oneIins,
az 49, 1880 Va ane wore, can nave
In o,,r chico TO-, go, 90 ne, tli - sivei
40 ..Tba n,tfnnoi .ue. " pubic worship.
nc opt .'a poi IONS are CREAMY prizeo
49, ~. ." ,.I au .ney aoo the enrich-
hnIne1 ma. - eilner desirable or can De
no proner Mace in nuh,;c worsh;, for a,.o,e
~ -; ~, puplic worship LOT ausht
n,nrsb1naa &, nn,t ~ TIN VINO must De
.. s -, III spiIlt anu IN truth. Inc m
hut No no Nv. IVY os r. arn Is ~ 1s eni,steu'
80 az p - y. i ,t 49, siiouio De DIAL
nr,. Soiv,y " eniso ,iiis Interest Even the
- So ~ rrnsaas o 60 anu sLouio sussess
,rarsh .ne psehee VI Soa Is II. the pace OF
w. sniP. INC ahtnen snouio DC pieaslns
W 'iiO POopio, out ~ diSo oHouio make theln
ooilaciouS VI us felsious ana upllftlng
po"ei'
Rich and impressive.
..o,r fu1I.r sar,.,oo l.
oui tuner service Is ricn ana impress
slVe After the first hymn the people, still
standing, repeat the apostles creed that
uncomfortable summary of the fpndamentaI
80. - So, C,-,-.. - . ''i
'fu'hs VI the Christian rehgion with these
great truths clearly in mind the worshipers
bow in prayer How real and blessed the
privilege of union In public PRAYER thus be-
comes! The anthem, If words and music
are fifty chosen, will increase the delights
of the sanctuary After the first scrinfure
lesson, read responsively-read with better
effect If the people stand-all Join In singing
the Gloria Patri.' that generated and low.
tb neI e soiI1W tne second scripture lesson