The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-10-02
CONVENTION OPENS
IN RICHMOND TO-DAY
CONTINUED from First Page

posed in one General Convention and
by resolve thereof made known to
the convention of every diocese or
state and adopted at the subsequent
General Convention" This is the pres
enttrule.
1t was resolved in 1914 that 1t would
not be proper for the convention or
the House of Bishops ito give their
sapction to any work, however tend
ing to religious instruction or to the
excitement of pious affections;'' also
that the proposed review of the Book
of Common Prayer be not undertaken
at this session. The octave Gaine edi-
ton of 1893 had been established as
the standard book by the Forty-thir
Canon. and in 1920 any errors or onis
sions in this copy, We're ordered to be
published for the sake of correct fu-
ture editions. Instructions for print
ing were also given at this time. of
fees" were declared to be "of equal au
thority with the Book of Common
Prayer"
AS early as 1926 Shortened Ser
vices formed marked feature in the |
discussions of the convention. The |
House of Bishops took the initiative in
this movement, the deputies, after no
little debate concurred. In the 1853
convention the celebrated Memorial
presented by the Rev. DIR. Muhlenberg
and others, in favor of liturgcal re-
Taxation and church comprehension, re-
suited in the appointment of q commits
sion to consider and report on the sub
| ject.
| The discussion of the memorial"
was settled in 1856 by the adoption Of
a preamble and Resolutions, which,
among other things, laid down the
principle that morning prayer, the
litany and the communion service be-
4 ing separate offices, may, as in former
tines be used separately under the
! advice of the bishop of the diocese"
Also. allowing discretionary use of
parts of the Prayer Book and allowing
| discretion to the officiating minister In
the selection of lessons. The latter
| part of the "memorial" was noticed in
the appointment of the Commission on
Church Unity. On the ninth day Of
1.-THE session of 1880 tn Rev. DR.. Hunt
1 iegton, then a deputy from Massachu-
sets offered the celebrated resolution
i providing for certain alterations in
/ the Book of Common Prayer In the d.
;rection of lieurgical enrichment and
1 increased f1exibtlity of use" A joint
committee, consisting of seven bishops,
seven clergymen and six laymen, was
adopted resolution. This committee
asserted at the outset for its guidance
the conviction that no alteration
, should be made touching either state-
ments or standards of doctrine In the
Book of Common Prayer" Also that
this committee, in all its suggestions
, and acts, be guided by those principles
. of liturgical construction and ritual
: use which have guided the compilations
and amendments of the Book of Com
a mon Prayer and have made 1t what 1T
n is
Prayer Book revision occupied the at
G tention of subsequent Diocesan and
: General Conventions to large extent
t for twelve years. when the work au-
spicuously begun and happily COM
pleted brought forth the standard
!. book OF 1892.
a Psalms ana Hymns.
Y Common praise, as we'll az common
prayer, has had the attention of the
q General Convention from It's early ses.
n sions In 1908 thirty hymns We're addet
: to those already provided In the Praye
e Book. and 1t. was directed that a Ger.
S. tain portion. or portions, OF the Psalm!
IS of David in metre, be sung at every
l. celebration Of divine service" In thu
Is House of Deputies of 1925 1t was re
p solved "that the psalms and hymns II
1: metre are not, in the opinion of thi
1T house, part of the Book of Commo,
" Prayer or offices of the church. Pro
a vided. nevertheless, that they shall b
C. of authority and binding until duh
a. altered or amended"
Z; The selections from the psalms !
ne metre, with the hymns still bound wit
Id the Book of Common Prayer, We're sc
n forth in 1899 with a ratification.
y,ly IN 10
lie cure the preparation of an authorize
he tune book. with preface cor
a tanning suggestions as to the hes
he means of promoting more simple, dc
in votional and general uniform singin
re Of the praises of Almighty God in o,
ne Congregations The House of Bishol
u declared against abuses in the mus
X cal portion of the service by "mal
OF Ing the congregation mere passive Ii
teners to musical sounds; moreover,
nd needless delay and interruption of o,
fu- Morning and Evening Prayer by I
,u- introduction of music. especially SUI
be as Is merely instrumental, which VI
the prohtably and needlessly ahridges I
time allotted 20 the preaching of t
Word, and by fatiguing the heare
led both in body and mind nterferes wi
the their ability rightly to receive I
Of same
.les SiXty-Ave additional hymns we
1856 however, licensed by the Ho,
Of of Bishops, at the request
7s9 the deputies These hymns We're I
'gy to be Incorporated in the Prayer 30
on until adopted by the convention.
and commission OF bishops was intrus
ldi- with power to set forth from time
of time additional hymns which mis
the be used in public Worship until
,ro. next convention. Further action v