CHAPTER II.

OF THE ASSEMBLING OF THE CONGREGATION AND THEIR BE HAVIOR DURING DIVINE SERVICE.

I. WHEN the time appointed for public worship is come, let the people enter the church, and take their seats in a decent, grave, and

reverent manner.

II. In time of public worship, let all the people attend with gravity and reverence; forbearing to read anything, except what the minister is then reading or citing; abstaining from all whisperings, from salutations of persons present, or coming in; and from gazing about, sleeping, smiling, and all other indecent behavior.

1. Posture in Public Prayer.

a. On an overture from the Presbytery of Philadelphia, asking the Assembly to adopt measures for arresting or abating the growing evil of sitting in public prayer, the Assembly took action, viz.:

While the posture of standing in public prayer, and that of kneeling in private prayer, are indicated by examples in Scripture, and the general practice of the ancient Christian Church, the posture of sitting in public prayer is nowhere mentioned, and by no usage allowed; but on the contrary, was universally regarded by the early Church as heathenish and irreverent, and is still, even in the customs of modern and Western nations, an attitude obviously wanting in the due expression of reverence; therefore this General Assembly

Resolve, That the practice in question be considered grievously improper, whenever the infirmities of the worshiper do not render it necessary; and that ministers be required to reprove it with earnest and persevering admonition.-1849, p. 255, O. S.

b. Reaffirmed by the Assembly of 1857, p. 38, O. S.

c. An overture from the Presbytery of Michigan in relation to posture in prayer and praise, with the answer that action is inexpedient, which was adopted.-1870, p. 28.

See 1854, p. 509, N. S.

CHAPTER III.

OF THE PUBLIC READING OF THE HOLY SCRIPTURES.

I. THE reading of the Holy Scriptures, in the congregation, is a part of the public worship of God, and ought to be performed by the ministers and teachers.

II. The Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament shall be publicly read, from the most approved translation, in the vulgar tongue, that all may hear and understand.

III. How large a portion shall be read at once, is left to the discretion of every minister: however, in each service, he ought to read at least one chapter; and more, when the chapters are short, or the connection requires it. He may, when he thinks it expedient, expound any part of what is read: always having regard to the time, that neither reading, singing, praying, preaching, or any other ordinance, be disproportionate the one to the other; nor the whole rendered too short, or too tedious.

Overtured, That every minister, in their respective congregations, read and comment upon a chapter of the Bible every Lord's day as discretion and circumstances of time, place, etc., will admit. Adopted.-1707, p.

10.

2. Resolved, That this Assembly do hereby enjoin on all ministers of churches under their care, a strict and regular observance of the third article in the Directory for Public Worship, and they further recommend to all the Presbyteries in connection with this General Assembly, that they inquire at least once in every year, at a stated meeting, how far the regulations in said article have been observed; and if, in any instances, overlooked or neglected, that they take measures to have the same properly observed.-1839, p. 166, O. S.

CHAPTER IV.

OF THE SINGING OF PSALMS.

I. IT is the duty of Christians to praise God, by singing psalms, or hymns, publicly in the church, as also privately in the family.

1. Early Action on the Subject of Psalmody.

a. A query was brought in, in these words: "As sundry members and congregations within the bounds of our Synod, judge it most for their edification to sing Dr. Watts's imitation of David's Psalms, does the Synod so far approve said imitation of David's Psalms as to allow such ministers and their congregations liberty of using them?"

As a great number of this body have never particularly considered Dr. Watts's imitation, they are not prepared to give a full answer to the question. Yet as it is well approved by many of this body, the Synod have no objection to the use of said imitation by such ministers and congregations as incline to use it, until the matter of psalmody be further considered. And it is recommended to the members of this body to be prepared to give their sentiments respecting this subject at our next meeting.-1763, p. 331.

b. After some consideration of the query concerning the use of Dr. Watts's imitation of the Psalms, the Synod judged it best, in present circumstances, only to declare that they look on the inspired Psalms in Scripture, to be proper matter to be sung in divine worship, according to their original design and the practice of the Christian Churches, yet will not forbid those to use the imitation of them whose judgment and inclination leads them to do so.-1765, p. 345.

c. The Committee appointed to converse with the parties in the Second Presbyterian Church in this city differing about psalmody, report: "That they have taken opportunities of conversing with both parties, so far as the time and circumstances would permit, and that they do not think the Synod should directly judge of the merits of the appeal, so as to affirm or disapprove the several distinct propositions laid down by the Presbytery in their judgment; but as there is not now time to consider fully the dif ferent versions of the Psalms in question, and there are minutes of Synod formerly which countenance congregations in determining this matter according to their own choice, they cannot make any order to forbid the congregation to continue the practice now begun." Which being considered was approved; and the Synod on this occasion think proper earnestly to recommend to both parties peace and harmony, and to forbear all harsh sentiments and expressions, and in particular that neither of them. intimate that either of the versions in question is unfit to be sung in Christian worship.-1773, p. 448.

d. A motion was made in the following terms, viz.: "Whereas the nearest uniformity that is practicable in the external modes of divine. worship is to be desired, and the using different books of psalmody is matter of offence, not only to Presbyterians of different denominations, but also to many congregations under our care; it is queried, if the Synod might not choose out, and order some of their number to take the assistance of all the versions in our power, and compose for us a version more suitable to our circumstances and taste than any we yet have;" which, having been read, and seconded, after some conversation thereon, the question was put, whether to appoint a Committee, or defer, and was carried by a small majority to appoint. Whereupon Dr. Allison, Dr. Davidson, Dr. Ewing, Mr. Blair and Mr. Jones, were appointed a Committee for that purpose, who are to make report of their diligence herein at our next meeting.-1785, p. 513.

[Apparently in consequence of this appointment the following minute was adopted:]

e. The Synod did allow, and do hereby allow, that Dr. Watts's imitation of David's Psalms, as revised by Mr. Barlow, be sung in the churches and families under their care.-1787, p. 535.

f. In respect to the psalmody, the Synod have allowed the use of the imitation of the Psalms of David for many years, to such congregations as choose them, and still allow of the same, but they are far from disapproving of Rouse's version, commonly called the Old Psalms, in those who were in the use of them and chose them, but are of opinion that either may be used by the churches, as each congregation may judge most for their peace and edification, and therefore highly disapprove of public, severe and unchristian censures being passed upon either of the systems of psalmody, and recommend it to all ministers in those parts of the Church, to be more tender and charitable on these heads.-1787, p. 537.

2. Watts' Hymns Allowed.-Dwight's Revision Approved and Allowed.

Whereas, The version of the Psalms made by Dr. Watts, has heretofore been allowed in the congregations under the care of the General Assembly, it is now thought expedient that the hymns of Dr. Watts be also allowed; and they are accordingly hereby allowed in such congregations as may think it expedient to use them in public and social worship; and whereas, the Rev. Dr. Timothy Dwight, by order of the General Associa

tion of Connecticut, has revised the version of the Psalms made by Dr. Watts, and versified a number omitted by him, and has also made a selection of hymns from various authors, which, together with the Psalms, were intended to furnish a system of psalmody for the use of churches and families, which system has been revised and recommended by a joint Committee of the General Assembly and the General Association of Connecticut heretofore appointed, as well as examined and approved by a Committee of this present Assembly; the said system is hereby cheerfully allowed in such congregations and churches as may think it for edification to adopt and use the same.-1802, p. 249.

3. Use of other Psalms and Hymns not Forbidden.-Sessions and Presbyteries to take Supervision.

Your Committee are of opinion, that the General Assembly of the year 1802, in their resolution on this subject, did not intend that the churches under their care should use no other psalms and hymns than those specified in the resolution. It is further the opinion of your Committee, that when any families or congregations in their religious worship make use of hymns containing erroneous doctrine or trivial matter, it becomes the duty of church sessions and Presbyteries to inquire into the matter, and act as the case may require. Approved.—1806, p. 360.

4. Book of "Psalms and Hymns."

[In 1819, p. 716, the subject of psalmody was considered, and referred to the next Assembly. The Committee appointed by the Assembly of 1820, Drs. Caldwell and Romeyn, and Mr. Andrew Wylie, presented the following report, which was adopted :]

Psalmody has in all ages been considered a most important part of the worship of God. The Church, therefore, has ever been careful to preserve its purity for the edification of her members; whilst they who have departed from the faith once delivered to the saints, have availed themselves of it to accomplish their divisive plans with the best success. Mindful of their duty in this matter, the General Assembly have, from time to time, authorized the use of Rouse's version of the book of Psalms, Watts's imitation of the Psalms of David, with his three books of hymns, Barlow's alterations of, and additions to Watts's imitation, and Dwight's revision of Watts, with his additional versifications and collections of hymns, in the churches under their care.

Whilst the Committee grant that each of these systems of psalmody has its excellences, they respectfully recommend that one uniform system of psalmody be prepared, under the direction of the Assembly, for the use of the churches under their care. They believe that the time has come when such a measure may be adopted without offending any of our churches, and with the prospect of complete success.

If they are correct in this belief, of which the Assembly must judge, it appears to them that uniformity in this matter will furnish a strong bond peace and harmony between the different sections of our Church.

of

The Committee further recommend that this uniform system of psalmody consist of two parts, viz.:

I. A compilation of metrical versions of the book of Psalms, adhering to the order and connection of the same as far as practicable.

In this compilation the preference ought to be given to the authorized versions now in use, so far as the poetry and conformity to the text allow. The Committee, in recommending this compilation, disavow any design

of committing the Assembly on the difference of opinion which exists about the book of Psalms. They also wish it to be distinctly understood that they do not disapprove of Watts. But they think that a compilation, such as is recommended, if judiciously executed, will satisfy the friends of Dr. Watts's imitation, and the advocates of the exclusive authority of the book of Psalms.

II. A copious collection of hymns and spiritual songs from various authors, giving the preference to those now authorized, so far as good taste, sound sense and enlightened piety admit.

Such a system of psalmody, the Committee think, besides producing harmony among ourselves in this part of public worship, will tend to enlarge that growing disposition among Christians of different denominations, to union of exertions for promoting the kingdom of Christ. They therefore submit the following resolutions, viz.:

1. That a Committee be appointed to digest and prepare a uniform system of psalmody, as recommended in this report; the whole, when prepared agreeably to the views of the Committee, to be submitted to the General Assembly for their adoption.

2. That the Committee appointed to carry this resolution into effect be authorized to procure, at the expense of the Assembly, such versions of the Book of Psalms, and such collections of hymns and sacred songs, as they may deem necessary.

The Assembly appointed Drs. Romeyn, Alexander, Nott, Blatchford and Spring, a Committee to prepare and digest a system of psalmody, as recommended in the foregoing report.-1820, p. 740.

The Committee finally, after being enlarged from time to time, reported, when it was

a. Resolved, That the Book of Psalms and Hymns, with the alterations and additions submitted by the Committee, be approved by the Assembly, and its use in the worship of God be authorized in all the churches under its care.-1830, p. 306.

In the Assembly of 1838, O. S., a Committee was appointed to revise the Assembly's edition of the "Psalms and Hymns." Their action was finally approved by the Assembly, and it was

b. Resolved, That the Book of Psalms and Hymns reported by the Committee of Psalmody, be approved, and authorized to be used in all our churches.

That such portion of our standards be appended to such portion of any future edition of the Book of Psalmody as shall be deemed expedient by the Board of Publication.

That the whole, or such portion of the common translation of the psalms, without note or comment, accompanied as far as may be by appropriate music, be appended to such portion of one edition of said Book of Psalmody as may appear expedient to the Board of Publication.1843, p. 194, O. S.

[See also Baird's Collection, Revised Edition, pp. 211, 213.]

5. The "Church Psalmist."

[In the Assembly of 1840, N. S.-]

a. On motion of Dr. Cox, the whole subject of psalmody, with the procuring and furnishing an edition of psalms and hymns for our general use in a way involving no pecuniary responsibility to the Assembly, was referred to the Consulting Committee for their deliberation and action, as they may deem proper and practicable.-1840, p. 24.