AIDS TO WORSHIP.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 563, 19 July 1909, Page 11

AIDS TO WORSHIP.

BOOKS FOR PREBYTERIANS. At the last Genoral Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, held in Dunedin, the following lesolution was adopted:— "Whereas the Church has always Bought to emphasise the beauty as well as the strength of the, tho manner of worship'in tfiis'ChurclrMs determined by the principles of the Westminster Directory, wnereas it is expedient to oxpress more' particularly the present-day Sense in which that Directory is interpreted, whereas various books have been in use, sotting forth in general the sense in which the Presbyterian Church interprets its Historic Directory, the Assembly directs Presbyteries to .consider tho matter, and report as they see' fit through tho clerk, to the next Assembly, the book or books they consider suitable'to express the mind of tho Church." In order to give effect to this decision of the Assembly, the Wellington Presbytery appointed a committee, with the 'Rev. R. Inglis, M A., of Khaadallah, as convener, to go into tho whole subject, and bring up i a ropoit to the Presbytery. This was done at the last meeting, when, the report of the committee was unanimously adopted. Out of_ a large, number "of books j which the committee had under its consideration, three wero selected as'the most suitable. 'The following account of , them is given ,by Mr. inglis .—

(1) For Ministers: "A New Directory for the public worship of God founded on the Book of Common Order (1560-1564) and the Westminster Directory (1643-1646), issued by the Pnbhc M'orship Association of the Free Church of Scotland." .This book is an admirable guido to the decorous conduct of pnbhc worship and the Sacraments, as well as containing suitable forms for special occasions. It is suggestive rather than liturgical, and contains a wealth of phvasesfrom Holy Scripture suitable for use in pubiio worship. It is '.(iconurendwl also by tlio AuokUnd Presbytery, and, if adopted by the General Assembly, will prove a most useful and helpful book, The use of it will be entirely optional, and it is not meant to supercede the practice of extempore prayer. (2) For laymen conducting religious services: "Church Sorvices for use by Laymen," issu3d by cho authority of the Presbyterian ' Church of Australia (State of New South Wales). It contains thirteen full forms of seivico, witn special prayers and services for rain, lor funerals, and special seasons. It is admirably adapted to colonial requirements, especially in districts where it is not. possible for the minister to visit somo centres morb than onco a month. With the aid of this book, it will bo possible for any office-bearer to conduct service in the absenso of a nunistoi. It is intended that some suitable printed sermon should be read in connection with it

;:,(3) For'heads ;of families: "Prayers for. .Social and Family Worship," issued by the. Church of Scotland;' -Though .the, price .of the .volume; is only'ls.: 9d.', it is a most comprehensive' book, calculated to- supply-, a greatly 7 felt. want.;in. the conduct of family. worship., .'lt contains five-suitable forms for morning and. evening public worship, a■ service for'the sick, ■ service. for use in a hos-pit'al.Y'spflui-il "prayers .for use in'the'.-sick' roonV service -forr burial, children's- services for. use in-i Sunday, School or home, : prayers for - family, r worship, .Sacramental '• family prayers, : '■:'piay'cr's'.. for' ; .thb ,'nso." of soldiers, sailors, emigrants, colonists).travellers, etc., prayers ;for tho- r seasons! .'and,', on -special -occasions,' and 'a'- table.:of.' Scriptural \ readings! suitable J f oY"morning; :ahd : evening''."worship for; persons'• at -colonists, the sick;.ahd ; .'afflioted, : and occasions of, death"' or ''burial.'''■■''';-V ,: ..j:' i^;'---; -';'.'r ' : v : : [ -'"', '■,'■■ i-'