Free
Church Presbyterianism, by Rev. James Begg, D.D.
Closing
Address: SPECIAL
DUTIES AND DANGERS OF THE FREE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.
Part
11: (Dangers)
OTHER INNOVATIONS IN WORSHIP.
OTHER
arrangements in regard to worship, although to be settled on a totally
different principle, are important in their own place, and we must
resist the restless spirit which would change
our forms of worship without lawful authority. The very liberty we
enjoy in a Presbyterian Church makes order all the more necessary, and
anarchy all the more dangerous. Every congregation with us is only part
of a great whole, — one room, as it were, in a great house; and I am
entitled, as I pass from room to room, to be protected against the evil
of having my devotions disturbed by the crude alterations which may be
introduced without the authority of the collective Church.
It may be
said that the proposed alterations are small; but this only makes the
unwarranted introduction of them less excusable if they in any measure
interfere with the rooted habits of our congregations. The very
attitudes of our worship have been thoroughly considered, and are
capable of the fullest vindication; and the times of worship are often
more important than people suppose. Ordinary worship in the evening,
for example, instead of in the afternoon, although an occasional
evening sermon in a city may be necessary and useful, seems a very
harmless change even in rural districts; whereas it has been found by
experience, that this both extinguishes family catechising, — the old
family work of the Sabbath evenings, — an enormous mischief in itself,
and that it has been greatly productive of sin, by inducing young
people to go out under cloud of night, on pretence of worship, but
often without the control of parents, and in circumstances of great
temptation.
We scarcely take up a paper, moreover, without seeing that
some parish minister has abandoned one or more of the preaching days,
as they are called, in connection with the communion, because few
people attend. If this be a good reason, it should also lead to the
shutting up of some of the parish churches altogether. [Laughter and
applause.] The Monday service of thanksgiving, which originated at the
famous revival at Shotts, and was honoured at the time also of the
revival of Kilsyth, has long been dear to the good people of Scotland. [Applause.] I see that this service is being frequently abandoned by
the parish ministers. The older ministers were in the habit of urging
attendance on this service by referring to the case of the lepers.
"Were there not ten cleansed, and where are the nine?" But here the
tables are turned. The few that do return to give thanks have the doors
of the church shut in their faces, because they are not more numerous.
Because the nine won't give thanks, the tenth is not permitted to do
so. [Laughter.] God says, "where two or three are gathered in my name,
I am in the midst of them." But it would appear that where God does not
disdain to be present, some of his professed ministers reckon it not
worth their while to come. It would be interesting to know how they are
better employing their time on the sacrament Monday. [Applause.] They
may rest assured that just in proportion as they yield to this tide of
defection, the spirit of carelessness will grow. [Continued applause.]
The real question in such cases, however, is not about times or
attitudes, but about the right of a minister or congregation in a
Presbyterian Church to alter the worship without authority. Take the
case of a human regiment. The soldiers are all clothed in red; but a
few, let us say, have arrayed themselves in green. This would seem the
smallest possible matter in itself: The real question, however, would
not be as to the respective merits of these two colours, but as to the
value of uniformity, and whether individual men can make the change
without authority from their military superiors. [Applause.] And so it
is in the present case. The thing done may be small, but the principle
involved is great; and why should the propriety of the proposed
alteration not be considered? If the proposed change be good, let us
all make it; and if not, let none be permitted to do so. We must either
see thus to secure uniformity of worship, or not mock the people by
solemn vows on the subject of uniformity, administered in the presence
of God to all our ministers in every case of ordination or induction,
but which have really in such a case no meaning. It is hoped that such
matters will all, in our Church, be wisely and amicably settled. [Applause.] If any change is proposed, — and the subject is a fair one
for consideration, — it ought to be submitted, not to the congregation,
for that is pure Independence, but to the courts of the Church, and
settled by lawful authority.