Contact Us

Use the form on the right to contact us.

You can edit the text in this area, and change where the contact form on the right submits to, by entering edit mode using the modes on the bottom right. 

         

123 Street Avenue, City Town, 99999

(123) 555-6789

email@address.com

 

You can set your address, phone number, email and site description in the settings tab.
Link to read me page with more information.

Review of Ralston’s Inquiry

Database

Review of Ralston’s Inquiry

James Dodson

INTO THE PROPRIETY OF USING

AN EVANGELICAL PSALMODY IN THE WORSHIP OF GOD.

 

SECOND EDITION



Enlarged by two Additional Chapters, embracing a Critical Analysis of Col. 3: 16, 17, and the Modern History of Psalmody.



JOHN T. PRESSLY, D. D.



ALLEGHENY:

JOHN B. KENNEDY, BOOK PUBLISHER, FEDERAL ST.

1848.
 

CONTENTS:

Featured
Preface.
Preface.

1848-John T. Pressly.-The author explains the purpose and occasion of this work along with his desire that people would take seriously the matter of their praising of God in worship.

Preface to the Second Edition.
Preface to the Second Edition.

1848-John T. Pressly.-Mr. Pressly explains what he has added to the second edition and why.

CHAPTER I.
CHAPTER I.

1848-John T. Pressly.-In this first chapter, Pressly sets forth the true state of the question agitated between Psalm singers and those who claim to seek an "evangelical" psalmody by composing their own hymns. Mr. Pressly is careful to explain that this is a very serious question and not one served well by the ridicule of those who are unable to answer arguments.

CHAPTER II.
CHAPTER II.

1848-John T. Pressly.-In this second chapter, Pressly must explain the difference between what is meant by human composure and the muddled thinking his opponent entertains of this concept. He also confirms God's right to command men how they ought to worship in an acceptable manner.

CHAPTER III.
CHAPTER III.

1848-John T. Pressly.-In this chapter, Pressly goes to great lengths to examine the precept his opponent wishes to put forward for Scriptural authority to make uninspired hymns for the worship of the church. Notice there is a big difference between a command to sing and a command to make.

CHAPTER IV.
CHAPTER IV.

1848-John T. Pressly.-In this chapter, Mr. Pressly examines the claims of the proponents of hymn writing concerning so-called examples and precedents for undertaking such a work.

CHAPTER V.
CHAPTER V.

1848-John T. Pressly.-Pressly points out how often the critics of exclusive psalmody drift close to open blasphemy and, at other times, advocate things that border on the openly ridiculous.

CHAPTER VI.
CHAPTER VI.

1848-John T. Pressly.-In this chapter, Pressly begins to advance a positive case for the exclusive use of the inspired book of Psalms in the worship of God. He points out its inherent excellency and worth in the both the Old and new Testament churches for this purpose.

CHAPTER VII.
CHAPTER VII.

1848-John T. Pressly.-In this chapter, Pressly continues to press what should be obvious. The Psalms are set apart as a book for the continued use of the church, not all Scripture songs were moved into that book, and there is no warrant for man to prepare his own "hymn" book since the Bible already has one.

CHAPTER VIII.
CHAPTER VIII.

1848-John T. Pressly.-In this chapter, the author considers some of the common objections to only singing the Psalms and, in the words of his opponents, he presses the impiety of any sentiments that would lessen or derogate in any manner the supreme worth of the Scripture Psalms.

CHAPTER IX.
CHAPTER IX.

1848-John T. Pressly.-This chapter undertakes a careful critique of Isaac Watts and his alleged psalms. Using his own words, Pressly shows that Watts had no love for David and was not interested in translating the Psalms. He only wanted to make a cheap imitation and, as Pressly demonstrates, it is not even that good.

CHAPTER X.
CHAPTER X.

1848-John T. Pressly.-In this chapter, Mr. Pressly examines the often used analogy between prayer and psalmody. He explains wherein thy are similar and wherein they differ and why it is important to recognize this distinction.

CHAPTER XI.
CHAPTER XI.

1848-John T. Pressly.-In this chapter, Mr. Pressly expounds the meaning of the phrase "psalms, hymns and spiritual songs" and then proceeds to help the reader understand the difference between teaching using these songs and making these songs.

CHAPTER XII.
CHAPTER XII.

1848-John T. Pressly.-In this chapter, Pressly surveys the history of the early church to discern the views of those early fathers regarding the Psalms and their appropriate use in the worship of the church.

Conclusion.
Conclusion.

1848-John T. Pressly.-The author concludes with a short apology for the use of the 1650 Scottish Psalter and a rejection of Watts' imitations of the Psalms explaining why one is not like the other.

 

 

 

tags John T. Pressly, Psalmody