The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1906-06-08

not to be taken in any wise as a lit
urgy imposed by authority. Nor Is II
a substitute for the Directory of Wor-
ship, but rather a supplement 70 it,
wherein the instructions of the stand
ards are followed on all essential
points, and aid is offered to those who
desire it for the conduct of the pub
lie services Of religion with reverence
and propriety. We have studied earn
estly to embody the truths of our holy
religion in the language of orderly de-
vOtion, to the end that by the sac-a-
ments, the stated ordinances of the
Lords Day, and all the ordinary and
occasional Offices OF the church, men
may be both instructed and confirmed
in the faith OF Jesus Christ. We have
searched the Holy Scriptures, the us
age Of the Reformed churches, and the
devotional treasures OF early Chris
tianity, for the most noble, clear and
moving expressions of the spirit of
praise and prayer, and We have added
to these ancient and venerable forms
and models such others as might serve
under the guidance of the same spirit,
to give a voice to the present needs,
the urgent desires, and the vital
IIopCS VI LIZ tIlultH i lA1r III lAVSC ldl-
ter days and in the freedom of this
republic.
Concerning the manner in which the
different services are ordered and ar
ranged, and the best way in which
they may be used TO ediflcatiOn, a few
suggestions are offered in the pages
Immediately following this preface:
and throughout the book the careful
reader will find that the words of
guidance which precede the various
parts of the services are designed, not
only to mark their spiritual sigElfi-
canoe, but also TO enable all the people
10 join in the acts of worship, that all
things may be done decently and in
order. The longer and more impoT-
tant rubrics are Transcribed from the
Directory for Worship of this church,
which disapproves alike of "~confiling
ministers TO set OF fixed forms OF
prayer for public worship and OF
permitting that important service TO
be disgraced "by mean, irregular, or
e~xtravagant illusions II is TO be
remembered, therefore, that the forms
here offered are TO be used only "if the
minister so please" as a help in COM
mon worship, and o without a con-
slant care and diligence, by "acquaint-
ance with the Holy Scriptures, by
meditation, by reading the best writer's
on the subject, and by a life Of COM
! munion with God in secret, TO endea-
o to acquire both The spirit and the
gift Of prayer"
A confession Of sins" in general
terms is provided in the morning ser
| vice which is followed by the "Assur-
ance of pardon, to be said by the min
lister, the people still bowling down"
One of the features In connection with
! the creed which il TO be said by min
ister and congregation standing. Is
that for the statement. He descended
into hell may be substituted, il one
prefers, the words He continued in
the state of the dead, and under the
power OF death, until the third day"
The book also contains a selection
of ancient hymns and canticles such
as the TIE Deum Laudamus. the Gloria
in Excelsis, the Magnifcat, the BeEe-
dictus, and the Nunc Dimitti; the
Psalter, orders for family prayers, and
prayers for certain times and seasons:
orders for laying the cornerstone and
| defeating churches, ordination Of
ministers, ruling elders. and deacons,
marriage and funeral services. and OF
ders for baptism, confirmation and the
celebration OF communion.-New York
Post