RECENT PROCEEDINGS IN REGARD TO INNOVATIONS.
James Dodson
When recent innovations were first commenced about twenty years ago, much energy was manifested in the General Assembly in opposition to them, and even yet the constitution and laws of the Church have not been altered. But certain changes have been winked at, and in proportion as the innovations have increased, the attitude of the Assembly has become slack and dubious.
To illustrate the course pursued by the General
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Assembly on this subject, the following Acts and proceedings may be referred to. In a Deliverance of the Assembly, 1858, Sess.-ult., a proper tone is assumed, and it is said:—
“The General Assembly earnestly and solemnly warn all members of the Church against the rash adoption of changes in the order and form of public worship, as established in the Directory of Public Worship, confirmed by Acts of Assembly, and presently practised in the Church; and the General Assembly, in conformity with the terms of the laws of the Church, and the enactments of Parliament, do hereby expressly enjoin all the presbyteries of this Church, when such innovations are represented as having taken place, to inquire into the extent of and reasons assigned for such innovations, and to take with due prudence such course as seems to them most advisable for restoring uniformity within their bounds.”
Again, in a Deliverance in 1859, the Assembly, session 7,
“The General Assembly . . . find it established by the Report of the Committee of the Presbytery of Edinburgh referred to in this judgment, and by the admissions of Dr Lee and certain members of his kirk-session, that the prayers in the services of Greyfriars Church are read by Dr Lee from a book either in manuscript or printed, entitled ‘Prayers for Public Worship,’ a copy of which was laid on the table of the committee, and is now laid before this House; find that this practice is an innovation upon, and contrary to the laws and usage of the Church in the celebration of public worship, and the Assembly enjoin Dr Lee to discontinue the usage of the book in question in the services of his church, and to conform in offering up prayer to the present ordinary practice of the Church.”
This Deliverance put an end to the formal toleration of a liturgy; but there is reason to believe that read prayers are still not uncommon, especially in connection with funerals, marriages, and on other occasions. A book of ritual has in truth been
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issued by an association of ministers and elders of the Established Church, for the promotion of innovations, and an attempt at a rehearsal of the new form of service was made during the sitting of the General Assembly, 1875. In the General Assembly, 1863, session 6, an overture anent innovations was remitted to a committee, with instructions to “consider the same in connection with the whole subject of the laws and usages of the Church, and the present practice of the congregations, in regard to the administration of public worship.” In 1864, session 7, there was a report of said committee, which was approved of. The Assembly expressed their determination, when necessary, to put in force the laws of the Church in respect of any innovations whereby the harmony of particular congregations, or the peace of the Church in general, was disturbed; and exhorted ministers to have serious regard to the peculiar importance of the exercise of prayer, and improving the psalmody of the Church.