The Book of Common Worship of 1906
Encyclopedia
The Book of Common Worship of 1906 was the first liturgical book of the Presbyterian Church
in the United States
. It was replaced by a new edition in 1932.
The book was the result of overtures from the Synod of New York and the Presbytery of Denver. Henry Van Dyke
was the chairperson of the committee charged with the publication of the book.
The book relied heavily on the liturgical reforms of the Church of Scotland
and incorporated much of the liturgical tradition from the Episcopal Book of Common Prayer
.
It included liturgies for morning and evening worship services as well as ancient forms of Eucharistic prayers based on Eastern Orthodox liturgies. Prayers and texts were written for festivals and seasons of the Liturgical Year, which at the time of publication was not universally accepted in the Presbytery. Various orders were written for Confirmation, Ordination, and other ordinances. For the first time, "A Treasury of Prayers," a collection of ancient and contemporary prayers, was included. The prayers were drawn not only from within the Reformed tradition but also from within the Church catholic. One such example was the use of the Prayer of St. John Chrysostom, a remarkable departure from the Reformed principles and an intense look into the pre-denominational past. Finally, the book included an extensive selection from Psalms and Canticles; the latter's titles were given in Latin (Magnificat; Nunc Dimittis, Te Deum laudamus etc), a significant departure from the Reformed tradition.
Many Presbyterians were angered by what they felt was a loss of liberty in worship and criticized "canned prayers." In the General Assembly meeting to approve the book, one commissioner threw the book across the room and said, "Faugh! It smells of priestcraft." Another speaker responded, "This is not van Dyke's prayer book. It belongs to every member of the committee you appointed. It is not a liturgy. It's not a ritual. It does not contain 'canned' prayers. It contains great live prayers of our fathers. Are you going to tell the man who wants to use this book that he can't have it?"
In the end, the book was published but not fully embraced. However, it paved the way for a continuing tradition of liberty in Presbyterian worship in America, balanced with written resources for worship.
Liturgical book of the Presbyterian Church (USA)
There have been several liturgical books used in American Presbyterian Churches. The main service book in current use is the Book of Common Worship , published by the Presbyterian Church in cooperation with the Cumberland Presbyterian Church....
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It was replaced by a new edition in 1932.
The book was the result of overtures from the Synod of New York and the Presbytery of Denver. Henry Van Dyke
Henry van Dyke
Henry Jackson van Dyke was an American author, educator, and clergyman.-Biography:Henry van Dyke was born on November 11, 1852 in Germantown, Pennsylvania in the United States....
was the chairperson of the committee charged with the publication of the book.
The book relied heavily on the liturgical reforms of the Church of Scotland
Church of Scotland
The Church of Scotland, known informally by its Scots language name, the Kirk, is a Presbyterian church, decisively shaped by the Scottish Reformation....
and incorporated much of the liturgical tradition from the Episcopal Book of Common Prayer
Book of Common Prayer
The Book of Common Prayer is the short title of a number of related prayer books used in the Anglican Communion, as well as by the Continuing Anglican, "Anglican realignment" and other Anglican churches. The original book, published in 1549 , in the reign of Edward VI, was a product of the English...
.
It included liturgies for morning and evening worship services as well as ancient forms of Eucharistic prayers based on Eastern Orthodox liturgies. Prayers and texts were written for festivals and seasons of the Liturgical Year, which at the time of publication was not universally accepted in the Presbytery. Various orders were written for Confirmation, Ordination, and other ordinances. For the first time, "A Treasury of Prayers," a collection of ancient and contemporary prayers, was included. The prayers were drawn not only from within the Reformed tradition but also from within the Church catholic. One such example was the use of the Prayer of St. John Chrysostom, a remarkable departure from the Reformed principles and an intense look into the pre-denominational past. Finally, the book included an extensive selection from Psalms and Canticles; the latter's titles were given in Latin (Magnificat; Nunc Dimittis, Te Deum laudamus etc), a significant departure from the Reformed tradition.
Many Presbyterians were angered by what they felt was a loss of liberty in worship and criticized "canned prayers." In the General Assembly meeting to approve the book, one commissioner threw the book across the room and said, "Faugh! It smells of priestcraft." Another speaker responded, "This is not van Dyke's prayer book. It belongs to every member of the committee you appointed. It is not a liturgy. It's not a ritual. It does not contain 'canned' prayers. It contains great live prayers of our fathers. Are you going to tell the man who wants to use this book that he can't have it?"
In the end, the book was published but not fully embraced. However, it paved the way for a continuing tradition of liberty in Presbyterian worship in America, balanced with written resources for worship.
See also
- Liturgical book of the Presbyterian Church (USA)Liturgical book of the Presbyterian Church (USA)There have been several liturgical books used in American Presbyterian Churches. The main service book in current use is the Book of Common Worship , published by the Presbyterian Church in cooperation with the Cumberland Presbyterian Church....
- The Book of Common Worship of 1932The Book of Common Worship of 1932The Book of Common Worship of 1932 was the second liturgical book of the Presbyterian Church . It was superseded by a new edition in 1946....
- The Book of Common Worship of 1946The Book of Common Worship of 1946The Book of Common Worship of 1946 was the third liturgical book of the Presbyterian Church and provided for more congregational participation than previous versions....
- The Worshipbook of 1970The Worshipbook of 1970The Worshipbook of 1970 is a liturgical book of the Presbyterian Church and was a radical departure from previous works. This book was composed in the shadow of a great ecumenical movement that included the Consultation on Church Union, the Second Vatican Council , the Jesus Movement, and many...
- The Book of Common Worship of 1993The Book of Common Worship of 1993The Book of Common Worship of 1993 is the fifth liturgical book of the Presbyterian Church .With the reunion of the United Presbyterian Church and the Presbyterian Church , which took place in 1983, the need arose for a new liturgical book of the Presbyterian Church...