sible signs Christ and the benefits of the new covenant are represented, sealed and applied to believers." There are but two sacraments in the New Testament-Baptism and the Lord's Supper.* These are also called "sealing ordinances." † Who are responsible for the administration of the ordi nances? The Pastor and Session of the particular church.‡ By whom is prayer to be offered in the church? The Minister should himself offer the prayers. He may, when he deems it expedient or necessary, call upon one of the Elders of the church or any other fit person to conduct this part of the service. He is, however, always responsible for it. § At the more informal and social church-meetings, as at prayer-meetings and the monthly concert for prayer, "the brethren" (the male communicants) are to take part, under the general supervision of the Pastor. To this they are often urged by the General Assembly, as in the pastoral letters in 1817, 1832, and by the O. S. Assembly in 1849. || "Meetings of pious women by themselves for conversation and prayer, whenever they can conveniently be held, we entirely approve." "To teach and exhort, or to lead in prayer in public and promiscuous assemblies, is clearly forbidden to women in the holy oracles." In 1874 the Assembly to the overture, "Does the Assembly mean to enjoin that in the regular weekly prayer-meetings of the church no woman shall speak or lead in prayer ?" answered, “Yes, * Shorter Cutechism, Qq. 88, 92, 93. † Directory for Worship, ch. ix. Form of Government, chs. iv. and xxi.; Directory for Worship, chs iii.--x. & Ibid., ch. v., sect. iv. Presbyterian Digest, pp. 296, 302, 313. ¶ Ibid., pp. 304, 353. except in emergencies, to be decided by the Pastor and Session;" and added, "The Assembly expresses no opinion as to the scriptural view of woman's right to speak and pray in the social prayer-meeting, but commits the whole subject to the discretion of the Pastors and Elders of the churches." * May liturgies be used? The "Directory for Worship," ch. v., gives direction for extemporary prayer. In 1867 the N. S. Assembly did not deem it necessary to give any deliverance on the use of liturgies, since "the usage and forms of the Presbyterian Church have been so uniform and acceptable for years past from their scriptural simplicity," and no change in these usages is likely to take place. In 1869 the O. S. Assembly declared that "it becomes the Church to withstand the tendency, so strongly manifested in many places, to a liturgical and ritualistic service." In 1874 the Assembly declared "that the practice of responsive service in the public worship of the sanctuary is without warrant in the New Testament, and is unwise and impolitic, in view of its inevitable tendency to destroy uniformity in our mode of worship." "The Sessions of the churches are urged to preserve in act and spirit the simplicity indicated in the 'Directory for Worship.""‡ The Assembly refused to prepare a Book of Forms.§ What is the proper position in prayer? In 1849 the O. S. Assembly recognized the fact that, according to scriptural example and the practice of the early Church, the proper posture in public prayer is standing, and in private prayer is kneeling the pos *Minutes General Assembly 1874, pp. 32, 66. † Presbyterian Digest, p. 656. Minutes General Assembly 1874, p. 83. Ibid., 1882, p. 95. ture of sitting was regarded by the early Church as heathenish and irreverent and therefore resolved, "That the practice (sitting in prayer) be considered grievously improper whenever the infirmities of the worshiper do not render it necessary, and that Ministers be required to reprove it with earnest and persevering admonition." This was reaffirmed in 1857. In 1854 the N. S. Assembly resolved that as the Bible does not enjoin precisely the tunes to be used, the posture to be adopted, or who shall join in the songs of the sanctuary, therefore no action be taken on uniformity in the forms of worship, posture in prayer and singing. In 1870 the Assembly said that action in relation to the posture in prayer and praise is inexpedient.* Who should take part in singing praises? This, as every other part of public worship, is under the direction of the Pastor. "The proportion of the time of public worship to be spent in singing is left to the prudence of every Minister." But "it is the duty of Christians to praise God by singing psalms or hymns publicly in the church, as also privately in the family." "The whole congregation should be furnished with books, and ought to join in this part of worship." "It is also proper that we cultivate some knowledge of the rules of music, that we may praise God in a becoming manner with our voices as well as with our hearts."† Is it proper to have a choir? The manner in which this important part of worship is to be conducted must be determined by the Session.‡ The custom in the Church of Scotland is to have a Pre *Presbyterian Digest, p. 646. † Directory for Worship, ch. iv. Form of Government, ch. ix., sect. vi. centor, who occupies a place in front of or near the pulpit, and leads the congregation in singing. This was also the usage in the Presbyterian and some other churches in this country. It has passed away almost entirely until lately, when in some cases it has been reestablished. It is more usual to have a trained choir. In 1867 the O. S. Assembly declared that those who lead in singing should be, as far as practicable, only "those who are in communion with the church and amenable to its jurisdiction;" that "the introduction of choirs or musical instruments can be justified only as they serve this end (to inspire and express devotion) and aid or accompany sacred song; and no display of artistic skill, no delicacy of vocal training, no measure of musical ability, compensates for the violation, or even neglect, of the proprieties of divine worship." It recommends that meetings for rehearsal be held on other days than the Sabbath. It reminds the Church "that the Scriptures nowhere recognize the service of song as to be performed by the few in behalf of the many."* May musical instruments be used? What has been said above of choirs applies equally to musical instruments. In 1845 the O. S. Assembly replied to an overture, that "whereas by the 'Form of Government' and 'Directory for Worship' the whole internal management of the church as to worship and order is committed to the Minister and Session," therefore no further order is necessary, but to each Session is left "the delicate and important matter of arranging and conducting the music as to them shall seem most for edification, recommending great caution, prudence and forbearance in regard to it."* Reaffirmed in 1884.† * Presbyterian Digest, pp. 653, 654. + Minutes G. A. 1884, p. 115. Is chanting allowable? In the various books recommended by the Assemblies (O. S. and N. S.) to be used in the Church many chants are to be found. The committees appointed to prepare hymn-books have, in both branches of the Church, been instructed to make careful selections of the Psalms and of other portions of the Bible to be arranged for chanting. Similar instructions were given and carried out in the preparation of "The Presbyterian Hymnal,” which was adopted by the reunited Church in 1875.† What books of hymns and music may be used? * The "Directory for Worship," ch. iv., merely states that books should be furnished. As above stated, the whole matter is under the direction of the Session of each church. Yet they should not use the authority arbitrarily, adopting a new book "without the consent of the majority of said congregation" (1753). The General Assemblies have often expressed their opinion of the desirability of having uniformity in the churches in this regard, but have never assumed authority, but have from time to time approved certain books, appointed committees to prepare them, published them by their committees or Boards, and earnestly recommended their use by the churches. At first the Assembly authorized the use of Rouse's version of the Book of Psalms, which is still used by the churches in Scotland and Ireland and in some of the branches of the Presbyterian Church in this country. Watts's "Imitation of the Psalms of David," with his three books of hymns, was afterward recommended. In 1830 "The Book of Psalms and Hymns," prepared by the Assembly, was approved and * New Digest, p. 401; Presbyterian Digest, p. 652. New Digest, p. 108. |