Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

10. To "preach Christ" to the joy of believing souls, we must continually direct the hearts of the children of God to Jesus, as their "hope of glory;" as their life, and life eternal; as the King of saints, and the Lord of glory, who will at last collect all the scattered members of his church, and bring them all safe into that glorious and eternal "rest that yet remaineth unto his people." We are to declare, that his love and power, his word and promise, are engaged, that if we "suffer" for or “with him, we shall also reign with him; and that if we "die with him, we shall also be glorified together." We are to "preach Christ as ever present with his believing people, in all their various and varied trials in the way to heaven; that not a "hair

[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

of their head shall perish;" that He will "bruise Satan under their feet shortly;" and that He is ready, when their toilsome pilgrimage is over, and their warfare on earth is ended, to receive them into "everlasting habitations," and render their happiness complete with all the unmixed and unfading joys of the redeemed saints in glory: where "God will wipe away all tears from their eyes;" give them to "drink of the water of life," at the fountain of all true felicity; and where there "are pleasures for evermore.” What a promise hath Christ made to his people, "Where I am, there shall ye be also!" "If our life be hid with Christ in God, when Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall we also appear with him in glory."

C. D.

PRUSSIAN LITURGY.

YOUR readers in general have doubtless been gratified at the information you have recently communicated respecting the Liturgy which the King of Prussia is endeavouring to introduce. A Christian friend from Germany has furnished me with a copy; and as it appears to be very little known in this country, I have thought that a general account of it might not be unacceptable.+ It bears the date of Christmas 1821; but I am informed that subsequent editions have appeared with some improving alterations. The title runs thus: "Liturgy for the principal Divine Service on Sundays, Holy-days, and the Celebration of the Communion, in the Royal and Cathedral Church at Berlin." The King himself, I understand, was the author of the scheme, and is commonly regarded as the composer, or rather selector, of the greater part of the prayers; but, with a liberality of feeling highly creditable to his Majesty, he has appointed them to be used at his own place of worship only, contenting himself with a mere

recommendation of them to the Clergy at large;-a recommendation which has hitherto, we understand, been rarely complied with. Prussian Liturgy presents the following simple and touching preface.

The

"The illustrious ancestors of his Majesty the now reigning King, viz. the Electors Joachim II. John George, the Duke Albrecht in Prussia, &c. published Ecclesiastical Regulations in the years 1540, 1558, and 1572; which, among other things respecting the church, contained also liturgies. These, being drawn from the fulness of the Divine Gospel, founded on very ancient forms of the Christian Church, and purified by the Reformation, were almost at the same time introduced and received in all Evangelical (Protestant) countries.

"Such liturgies, déclaring the eternal truths of Christianity, agreeably to the pure words of holy Scripture, in clear simplicity and expressive brevity, established and promoted unity of faith in the Evangelical church, and formed a beau

tiful tie which united all Evangelical congregations.

"Superior to every change of time, these valuable liturgies are as elevating and edifying now as they were to our pious ancestors. The prescribed forms have notwithstanding been gradually laid aside, and free choice has more and more taken place of ancient and venerable rites. The Evangelical Church, however, ought, by her doctrine and discipline, to establish the community of the Christian faith on the sure and eternal foundation of Christianity and, although the essence of Divine worship does not consist in church-rites, yet the equiformity of these not only tends to produce a common conviction of the same truth, but also a serene peace of the soul and a pious confidence result from the animating thought, that these are the same praises, thanksgivings, prayers, intercessions, and vows, which our Christian ancestors offered up many ages since, and which, if the Lord please, our children after us shall offer.

"On such considerations his Majesty has been induced to appoint this Liturgy, which may be considered as an improvement on any previously used, being similar in its fundamental forms to those above mentioned, and adjusted to the requirements of the present age; to be used, in the first place, at Divine service in the Royal and Cathedral church; in order to promote, with God's assistance, Christian piety, true virtue, and genuine patriotism."

This preface is followed by some general directions; one of which is, that "Divine service on Sundays and holy-days is never to occupy more time than an hour;" half of which is estimated for the liturgy and singing, and the other half allotted for the sermon. It is, how ever, kindly intimated, in a marginal note, that "the time may be prolonged, if a longer hymn should meet the wishes of the congregation; APRIL 1825.

and I suppose no one else would be found to complain, if they should be occasionally disposed to extend an equal indulgence to the preacher.

A rubric next prescribes that the service shall commence with congregational singing; during which the minister comes before the altar, in his sacerdotal vestments, and silently offers up a preparatory prayer; then, turning to the congregation, which continues standing, he says,

"Blessed be the kingdom of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, now and for ever, and from eternity to eternity. Amen.

"Our help be in the name of the Lord, who hath made heaven and earth.

"Most merciful God and Father, in deep humility do we acknowledge and confess before Thee our manifold sins and transgressions. Look down in mercy upon us, and forgive us, who repent, all our sins, for the merit of thy dear Son our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

"Chor. Amen.

"Min. Where is a God greater than our God? Thou art the God that doeth wondrous things; thou hast made known thy power to the nations. To thee, O Lord, have I lifted up my voice: unto my God have I lifted up my voice, and He has heard me.

"Chor. Kyrie eleison! Christe eleison! Kyrie eleison !

"Min. Glory be to God in the highest; and on earth peace, good will towards men," &c. (the concluding prayer in our Communion Service.)

"Chor. Amen.

"Min. The Lord be with you, "Chor. And with thy spirit. "Min. O Lord God, beloved Father, we beseech Thee to direct and

A note gives the translation "Lord have mercy," &c., and adds, " The Greek words have been retained, partly because they are found in old hymn-books, and are, therefore, supposed to be understood; partly because the measure of the syllables

suits the old church-music better.'

govern us by thy Holy Spirit; that with our whole heart we may hear and receive thy word, and be sanctified by it; that we may put our whole trust and hope in Jesus Christ thy Son; that we may amend our lives according to thy word; and attain everlasting salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. "Chor. Amen."

(Then follow the Epistle, Gospel, and Apostles' Creed, with suitable sentences from the minister and congregation.)

"Min. Lift up your hearts, and let us give thanks unto the Lord our God.

"It is meet, and truly worthy and salutary, to give thanks to Thee, the Almighty, at all times and in every place, through Jesus Christ our Lord; for the sake of whom thou hast spared us, dost forgive us our sins, and promise us eternal salvation: Therefore, with angels and archangels, and with all the company of the heavenly hosts, we sing praises to Thee and to thine infinite glory:

"Chor. Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of Hosts. All the lands are full of His glory. Hosanna on high. Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

"Min. O Lord God, Heavenly Father, we beseech thee that thou wouldst govern thy Christian church, with all its teachers and ministers, by thy Holy Spirit; that it may be preserved in the pure doctrine of thy word; that true faith may be produced and strengthened in us; and also love towards all men spring forth and increase in us.

"O Lord, let thy grace be richly bestowed upon the King our Sovereign; upon the Crown Prince, and all the Royal Family, and all who are related to and connected with it. Prolong their lives, and make them a continual blessing and a Christian pattern to us. Grant to our King a long and happy reign. Protect the King's army, and all the faithful

ministers of him and of the country. Teach them, as Christians, to be constantly mindful of their oath; and let their respective services be blessed to thy honour and the country's good. Bless us, and all the King's dominions. Bless every one in affliction; and be the Saviour of all men, especially of them who believe. Preserve us from an evil, impenitent death, and bring us at last to thy heavenly kingdom: through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

"Chor. Amen.

"Min. Our Father, &c. "Chor. Amen, Amen, Amen." (The minister leaves the altar. The congregation sing some verses. The minister goes up into the pulpit. The sermon. After a short prayer, the text is immediately read; during both which the congregation stand; as they do also at the end of the sermon, when the minister pronounces the blessing :)

"Min. The Lord bless thee and keep thee: the Lord cause his face to shine upon thee, and be gracious to thee: the Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. Amen.

“Chor. Amen, Amen, Amen."

(The congregation sing some verses; which conclude the service, except when the Communion is celebrated.)

The Communion Service is not much unlike that of the Church of England in its general form and manner. No expression is used in which a Lutheran and other Protestants cannot agree; the present government of Prussia earnestly desiring to unite all its Protestant subjects in one church. I have been chiefly struck with the following prayer after the distribution of the elements:

[blocks in formation]

sacrament, thou wouldst grant us to become assured of the operations of thy Holy Spirit ; that with a true faith we may apprehend and ever hold fast thy Divine grace, forgiveness of sins, union with Christ, and eternal life, promised to us all therein," &c.

A very solemn service is appointed by way of preparation for the Lord's Supper; which is performed either on the preceding afternoon, or on the same day before the usual liturgy. The minister enters the pulpit, and addresses the people in what is termed "the Confession Speech," the substance of which is directed to be, "All men are sinners: only by the redemption of Jesus Christ a penitent obtains grace, trusting on Christ's merit.'

[ocr errors]

"Min. Beloved in Christ, since we are gathered together in the name of the Most High God, and have attended to the preaching of his holy and only saving word, let us humble ourselves before him, and from our hearts confess to him all our sins, saying with one another:

66

Almighty God, merciful Father, I, a poor miserable sinner, confess to thee all my sins and transgressions, with which I may at any time have provoked thee, and deserved thy punishment temporal and eternal. I am heartily sorry, and do repent of them all. And I beseech thee, for thy great mercy, and for the undeserved and severe sufferings and death of thy dear Son Jesus Christ, that thou wouldst be gracious and merciful to a poor sinful man. Amen.

"Is this your earnest desire, and do you sincerely intend to amend your life?

"Congregation. Yes.

"Min. Upon this your confession do I declare to all, who from their heart repent of their sins, and by true faith seek comfort in the merit of Jesus Christ, by virtue of my office, as a called and ordained minister of the word, the grace of God and the forgiveness of your sins, in

the name of God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Amen.

"If there be persons among us who, oppressed by any mental affliction, need our particular counsel and consolation, we are ready to administer such, by virtue of our office and as much as is in our power."

Occasional Prayers are subjoined, for the principal festivals and days of national humiliation and thanksgiving. Among these is a Litany, in substance nearly corresponding with our own, which appears to be appointed only for the day of" the Commemoration of the Dead," but may be used, I am told, at other times, in the discretion of the minister. The last Sunday in the ecclesiastical year is set apart for this impressive and awful ceremony; of the origin of which I have received the following account. On the King's return from Paris in the year 1815, after the battle of Waterloo and the surrender of Bonaparte appeared to have brought the troubles and apprehensions of the Continent to an end, he issued directions for a commemoration, through all the churches of the kingdom, of the many brave men who had fallen in the course of the war. The names of those who were lost from each parish were ordered to be exhibited on a tablet; and a suitable discourse, the topics of which were suggested by the government, to be delivered by the minister to the survivors. These funeral orations, with the solemn recollections which attended them, were justly expected to produce a beneficial effect; and, in consequence, it was at the same time determined that the ceremony should be annually observed, in remembrance of all the departed, The scene is particularly striking at Berlin. The approach of the day is marked by the deep tolling of all the bells on the preceding evening ; the churches are hung with black; and in many of them the ministers, announcing the number, ages, and

other circumstances, of those who are no more, address the mourning multitudes in a strain of sacred eloquence which, if not so nervous and comprehensive as that of Pericles, much more deeply affects them with the moral reflections which ought to arise from the remembrance of death;-reflections on the proper ends of life, and the use to be made of those years which are so rapidly passing away. I select from the services of this day one very spiritual prayer, which is also appointed to be used on GoodFriday:

[ocr errors]

Prepare us more and more for a happy end; but especially in the last hour, the hour of death, drive away from us all temptations, and increase our faith in thy Son Jesus, that we may overcome all the horrors of dissolution. Then, when our ears shall no longer be able to hear, let thy Spirit testify to our spirit, that we, being thy children, and fellow-heirs with Christ, shall together with Jesus be soon before thy presence in heaven. Then, when our eyes shall no longer be able to see, do thou open the eyes of our faith, that we may behold heaven before us, and the Lord Jesus at his Father's right hand, and know that we also shall shortly be where he is. Then, when our tongue shall no longer be able to speak, let thy Spirit intercede for us with groanings which cannot be uttered, and teach every one of us to cry in his heart, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit. Grant also, O faithful God, that we may live in thy fear, die in thy grace, depart in thy peace, rest in the grave under thy protection, and rise again by thy power, to inherit the blessed hope of eternal life: for the sake of thy beloved Son Jesus Christ; to whom, with Thee and the Holy Spirit, be laud and praise and honour and glory, now and for ever. Amen,"

I will add but one extract more from this interesting formulary,

[merged small][ocr errors]

"Thou hast made thy wondrous works to be remembered among us, O thou gracious and merciful Lord; and our children's children shall praise the great things which thou hast done for us, and for the nations of the earth. Replenish, O most gracious God, with the Spirit of wisdom, of counsel, and of concord, all the Christian potentates of Europe. Especially do thou bless and prosper the holy alliance, and the monarchs who formed it; that, believing in Thee, and in thy Son the Redeemer of the world, they may so govern their subjects as to make them happy. Cause their holy work to prosper, for the praise of thy great name and the promotion of the common good; that peace, order, and justice may every where prevail, and our remotest descendants continue thankfully to enjoy thy blessings. Grant that these pious feelings may animate every one who this day celebrates with us the glorious victory at Leipzig (La BelleAlliance, or Paris)."

A few remarks have suggested themselves to my mind while I have been engaged in drawing up the preceding account.

In the first place, I suppose most of your readers are prepared for the observation, that, with the exception of the Communion Service and that for the Commemoration of the Dead, the Prussian Liturgy, when compared with that of our own church, must be pronounced meagre and unsatisfactory. Our Morning Service, as now used, is perhaps too full, and certainly too long; but this disappoints us, not only by its brevity, but (what is much more to be lamented) by its comparative emptiness. I am not disposed to blame the royal author, or his theological counsellors, for judging the Apostles' Creed a sufficient confession of faith for the Evangelical Church, nor for neglecting to prescribe a frequent

« AnteriorContinuar »