The Project Gutenberg EBook of Presbyterian Worship, by Robert Johnston

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Title: Presbyterian Worship
Its Spirit, Method and History

Author: Robert Johnston

Release Date: December 14, 2009 [EBook #30675]

Language: English

Character set encoding: ASCII

*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PRESBYTERIAN WORSHIP ***

Produced by Al Haines

PRESBYTERIAN WORSHIP

ITS SPIRIT

METHOD AND

HISTORY

BY

ROBERT JOHNSTON, D.D.,

London.

TORONTO;

THE PUBLISHERS' SYNDICATE, LIMITED.

1901

INTRODUCTION.

The worship of the sanctuary is a living subject of discussion and
practice in the Presbyterian Churches of the world at large, and,
within late years, in that of the Canadian Dominion. Many earnest
minds are approaching the study of the subject from various
standpoints, each worthy of attentive consideration. One regards it
from the dogmatic position of scriptural precedent, or from the larger
one of Christian principle; the aesthetic mind comes to it with visions
of order and beauty; the practical, with his view of the Church's needs
in mission fields and in mixed congregations. There is room in the
discussion for the largest statement of lawful opinion, founded on
conviction of absolute right, and on Christian expediency, and for the
exercise of abundant charity.

Dr. Johnston gives no uncertain sound on the subject. To his mind the
duty of the Church, first and last, is to preserve spirituality of
worship, and to discountenance everything that may tend to interfere
with the same. But, while this spirit pervades his work, his method is
historical, and thus preeminently fair and impartial in statement. The
presentation of the argument in concrete or historical form invests it
with an interest which could hardly be commanded by either dogmatic or
practical methods, while it excludes neither.

Dr. Johnston brings to his task ripe scholarship, including extensive
knowledge of Church history and ecclesiology, his proficiency in which
he has recently vindicated in such a manner as to leave no room for
doubt. To this he adds the teaching of pastoral experience in mission
fields, prior t