Jubilee 2000 - Jubilee 1894 There is the ritualism against which a Young Men's Association in Dublin protested by declining to countenance a jubilee meeting in St. Paul's, London. The writer equates instrumental music in worship to idolatry Catholics borrowed from the pagans (Catholic Encyclopedia, Candles).Out of the Presbyterian environment a movement for "restoration" of worship was felt in the early 19th century in America. Out of that as well as Baptists looking for congregational freedom Alexander Campbell led a movement which restored the almost-universal honor to Christ to become 'the church of Christ.' With a lower-cap "c." This view attempts to restore Christ by restoring His Word as authority.
Out of the Catholic - Church of England - Anglican - Episcopal - Methodist movement, "restoration" led rapidly to the addition of "high church" worship. This "high church" concept held the "living church" to be the authority to change what was understood to be the Biblical and historical understanding of ritualistic (musical) worship built upon the Jewish priesthood and the Levitical musicians. Alfred DeGroot defines the radically different "roots" which differ between the Restoration Movement and the quick defection of the Disciples to a "high church" view of Biblical authority and their defection from the Bible as Christ's authority.
DeGroot defines those who are free to make up their rules as "churches."
Those who follow the Bible as authority are defined as "sects."
In this, Degroot flies in the face of universal, non-Catholic, scholarship.To understand the use of instrumental or any form of ritual or liturgical music to worship a Spirit God, Dr. Kerr explains the two foundations upon which the church in his day was built.
[This lecture was delivered before the National Protestant Congress, held in Edinburgh, October 15-18, 1894. It is reprinted from the volume issued by that Congress entitled, "Romanism and Ritualism in Great Britain and Ireland. A Report of the National Protestant Congress, Edinburgh, October 15-18,1894." Edinburgh: R.W. Hunter, 19 George IV. Bridge, 1895.] Quotes from:
Rev. Dr. KERR, Reformed Presbyterian Church of Scotland, Glasgow, said: There are now two ritualisms. There is the ritualism of the Presbyterian Church of Scotland and the ritualism of the Episcopalian Church of England.The ritualism of the former consists of rites in worship which have no authority from the Word of God.
The latter, while including similar rites, is specially characterised by a dogmatic system directly subversive of the whole doctrine of Christ.The two ritualisms are not foes to each other, but friends.
In the school of ritualism, the former is the infant department, the latter the adult; and it is often difficult to mark the boundaries betwixt the two. Some of the infants in the Scottish section are fully entitled to promotion. In the estimation of the Papal masters of ritualistic science, they are making satisfactory progress toward appropriate honours, the mitres of bishops and the hats of cardinals.
Ritualism is too mild a term for the movement in England. In his late address at Preston, Cardinal Vaughan has correctly stated that the
ritualistic churches are "often distinguishable only with extreme difficulty from those belonging to the Church of Rome;" and he gives a list of those doctrines of Romanism which are now taught by the ritualists-sacerdotalism, the real presence, the sacrifice of the mass, auricular confession, extreme unction, purgatory, prayers for the dead, Mariolatry, and invocation of saints.The movement which embraces these dogmas is more than ritualistic; it is in all these respects thoroughly Romish. The ritualists who thus teach and practise are more justly designated Romanists than were members of the Romish communion at even advanced stages of that Church's development. Is it necessary to specify the doctrines of Scripture violated by this ritualism? Is there any doctrine of Revelation that could survive the prevalence of those Papal errors? The success of this ritualism would abolish the whole system of Divine truth, and ruin the life of religion in the soul.
The ritualism that has broken out in some of the Protestant Churches of Scotland assumes the form of changes in the modes of worship rather than as yet in any defined opposition to orthodoxy.
It consists meanwhile in ceremonial observances rather than theological dogmas but in those ceremonies lie the germs of doctrinal corruptions.
The ceremonies generate the atmosphere which in due time produces the anti-Christian beliefs. The candles, crosses, crucifixes, images, incense, vestments, and ornate ritual of the English Church have promoted the pro-Romish movement there. These have powerfully contributed to change the Ritualisers into Romanisers; and, on this side of the Border, a similar educational process is going rapidly forward. The late Bishop Forbes, of Dundee, adverted with satisfaction to the fact that "everywhere around us, even in systems with which we have no theological affinity, we see the aid of architecture invocated in the construction of churches,
and the unattractive forms of Presbyterian worship are being modified by the introduction of chanted Psalms, organs, and other accessories of Divine worship which would have horrified the last generation."
In the public services of the house of God on the Lord's day, and in many Presbyterian Churches, there are anthems, sentences, responses, solos, organ voluntaries, instrumental quartets, hymnals, prayer books, vestments, apses, altars, crosses, and other accompaniments of a ritualistic worship.
There is the ritualism against which Spurgeon uttered no uncertain sound when he said that he would
"like to see all the pipes of the organs in our Nonconformist places of worship either ripped open or compactly filled with concrete;" and "what a degradation to supplant the intelligent song of the whole congregation by the theatrical prettiness of a quartet, the refined niceties of a choir, orthe blowing of wind from inanimate bellows and pipes."
There is the ritualism against which a Young Men's Association in Dublin protested
by declining to countenance a jubilee meeting in St. Paul's, London, because of the reredos.
There is the ritualism against which the congregation in the west rose in righteous revolt, compelling a promise from the Presbyterian incumbent to cease his mystic movements at the table of the Lord.
There is the ritualism against which, in St. Giles' once, Janet Geddes kindled the spark of a noble rebellion - a liturgy in the house of God.
There is the ritualism against which George Gillespie delivered a destructive blow by his work on "English-Popish Ceremonies Obtruded on the (Reformed) Church of Scotland" the ritualism of saints' days and holy days, and in which he described these and other ceremonies as the "twigs and spriggs of Popish superstition."
These and other similar rites and ceremonies have been repudiated by the Presbyterianism of this northern kingdom without a dissentient voice for the last 300 years.
I must decline concurring with those who accuse the ritualists in the Presbyterian Churches of a deliberate conspiracy to overthrow the Protestant faith.
But it is probably impossible to devise any better methods for that purpose than those adopted by the ritualists.
If a number of ministers in Presbyterian charges where no ritualism exists were to resolve to ritualise and Romanise their congregations, could they adopt better measures than those in operation by ritualists?
Their plan of campaign would be marked by the following stages at considerable intervals:
1. adverse comments on the simplicity of the worship observed;
2. a choir, who would alone sing;3. a hymnal, with hymns from Romish sources, and
4. frequent use of hymns by Newman and other notable Romanists;5. a harmonium in the Sabbath school;
6. an organ in the church (a gift if possible);
7. occasional references to Protestants as bigots;
8. frequent use of the terms "the church," "holy communion," and "holy orders;"
9. a new church in shape of a cross, with chancel, nave, organ loft, apse, altar, and reredos;10. introduction of saints' days and holy days, including Ash Wednesday, Maunday Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter Sunday; crosses, crosiers; candles; incense; thurifers; and so on.
Would not such ministers and their congregations be ready for union with the Church of England Romanisers? Would they not be toying all this time with the trinkets of Babylon? Of the Church yielding to such rites in the period after the first Reformation, Gillespie wrote that
"her lovely locks are frizzled with the crisping pins of anti-Christian fashions."
Multitudes of moderate drinkers never, indeed, become drunkards,but the drunkards are recruited from the ranks of the moderates, and those who fall into ritualistic habits, little by little, incur the risk of being fully Romanised.These two ritualisms, when closely examined, are seen to be exactly alike in their underlying principle.
Both arise on the assumption of a right on the part of the worshipper to exercise his own will in forms of service and matters of faith.
They both do obeisance to a human authority in the house of God; they exalt the human will to a place of at least equality with the Divine will.In discussing this question the late Principal Cunningham, of the Free Church, quoted the words: "A show of wisdom in will-worship," and proceeded:
"A most exact description of the rites and ceremonies which the Church has introduced in the exercise of her fancied power. They are will-worship, as being invented or devised by men themselves, without any sanction or warrant from God; and they have a show of wisdom, as some of them were originally introduced from an honest though mistaken intention to promote the right and acceptable worship of God; and all of them are professedly directed to that object."
The germinating principle at the root of ritualism and Popery is one and the same.
The principle thrusts out the sovereignty of God from the house of God,
and welcomes the authority of man;
it dethrones Deity and enthrones humanity. A revolution is soon effected by it in the regions of worship and belief.Churches become concert-rooms, and no longer sanctuaries of the Lord of Hosts; and the services no longer worship intended to be acceptable to God, but, performances to attract the people.
In the region of belief, the Church teaches for doctrines, the commandments of men, and thus, eventually shutting out God, the minds of men are deprived of liberty, and their souls of everlasting life. John Knox detected the essence of this principle when he wrote: "I would ask if Jesus Christ be not King and Head of His Kirk.
Jer 23:14 I have seen also in the prophets of Jerusalem an horrible thing: they commit adultery, and walk in lies: they strengthen also the hands of evildoers, that none doth return from his wickedness: they are all of them unto me as Sodom, and the inhabitants thereof as Gomorrah.
I have heard what the prophets said, that prophesy lies in my name, saying, I have dreamed, I have dreamed. Jer 23:25Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. Ju.1:7
And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. Re.11:8
How long shall this be in the heart of the prophets that prophesy lies? yea, they are prophets of the deceit of their own heart; Jer 23: 26
Which think to cause my people to forget my name by their dreams, which they tell every man to his neighbour, as their fathers have forgotten my name for Baal. Jer 23: 27
The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell (celebrate) a dream; and he that hath my word (dabar),
let him speak my word faithfully.
What is the chaff to the wheat? saith the Lord. Jer 23: 28
Is not my word like as a fire? saith the Lord; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces? Jer 23: 29
Therefore, behold, I am against the prophets, saith the Lord, that steal my words every one from his neighbour. Jer 23: 30Behold, I am against the prophets, saith the Lord, that use their tongues, and say, He saith. Jer 23: 31And when this people, or the prophet, or a priest, shall ask thee, saying, What is the burden (SONG) of the Lord? thou shalt then say unto them, What burden? I will even forsake you, saith the Lord. Jer 23: 33
Behold, I am against them that prophesy false dreams, saith the Lord, and do tell (celebrate) them, and cause my people to err by their lies, and by their lightness (frivolity) ; yet I sent them not, nor commanded them: therefore they shall not profit this people at all, saith the Lord. Jer 23:32
Prophe-ta and prophe-te
I. a foreteller, soothsayer, oraculorumque interpretes, Aegyptius, propheta primarius, --Of the Jewish prophets,
oraculorumque interpretes
Mant-eia, [Greek] Ep. mant-eiê , Ion. mant-êïê , hê, ( [manteuomai] ) A. prophetic power, power of divination
oraculorumque o-ra-culum [Latin]
interpretes inter-pres I. An agent between two parties, a broker, factor, negotiator (class.): II. An explainer, expounder, translator, interpreter
Used with Phoebus , i, m., = Phoibos (the radiant), I. a poetical appellation of Apollo as the god of light:Hermên-eus A. interpreter, esp. of foreign tongues, dragoman
Plato Ion: Socrates [534e] intended him to be a sign to us that we should not waver or doubt that these fine poems are not human or the work of men, but divine and the work of gods; and that the poets are merely the interpreters of the gods, according as each is possessed by one of the heavenly powers. To show this forth, the god of set purpose sang the finest of songs through the meanest of poets:
heurêma ti Moisan."
Mousa , ês, hê, Aeol. Moisa Sapph.84, IG42(1).130.16, etc.; Dor. Môsa Alcm. 1, etc.; Lacon. Môha (for Môsa) Ar.Lys.1298, cf. An. Ox.1.277:--Muse,
A. Olumpiades M., Dios aigiochoio thugateres Il.2.491 , cf. Hes.Th.25, etc.; nine in number, first in Od.24.60; named in Hes.Th.75 sqq.
II. mousa, as Appellat., music, song, m. stugera A.Eu.308 (anap.); euphamos Id.Supp.695 (lyr.); kanachan . . theias antiluron mousas S
And as for the prophet, and the priest, and the people, that shall say, The burden of the Lord, I will even punish that man and his house. Jer 23: 34Is.13:1 THE burden of Babylon, which Isaiah the son of Amoz did see.
Massa (h4853) mas-saw'; from 5375; a burden; spec. tribute, or (abstr.) porterage; fig. an utterance, chiefly a doom, espec. singing; mental, desire: - burden, carry away, prophecy, * they set, song, tribute.
Thus shall ye say every one to his neighbour, and every one to his brother, What hath the Lord answered? and, What hath the Lord spoken? Jer 23: 35Gal 5:[8] This persuasion is not from him who calls you. [9] A little yeast grows through the whole lump. [10] I have confidence toward you in the Lord that you will think no other way. But he who troubles you will bear his judgment, whoever he is.
Burden is the song and music Jesus died to SILENCE;
Eisairô, A. bring or carry in, hê trapez' eisêireto Ar.Ra.518 , cf. Anaxandr. 2 (prob.).
Servant
You're kidding.
I won't let go of you. There's also a flute-girl for you
inside, a beauty, and other dancing girls
some two or three.aulêtris, idos, hê, A. flute-girl, Simon.178, Ar.Ach.551, used with Polus or crowd
Pl.Prt.347d, Plato Protagoras: Socrates [347d] such is their lack of education--put a premium on flute-girls by hiring the extraneous voice of the flute at a high price, and carry on their intercourse by means of its utterance.
But where the party consists of thorough gentlemen who have had a proper education, you will see neither flute-girls nor dancing-girls nor harp-girls, but only the company contenting themselves with their own conversation, and none of these fooleries and frolics--each speaking and listening decently in his turn.
And the burden (song) of the Lord shall ye mention no more; for every mans word shall be his burden (song): for ye have perverted the words of the living God, of the Lord of hosts our God . Jer 23: 36
Thus shalt thou say to the prophet, What hath the Lord answered thee? and, What hath the Lord spoken? Jer 23: 37
Then it becometh the Kirk of Jesus Christ to admit what He speaketh, to receive and embrace His laws,
and when He maketh end of speaking or law-giving then to rest.
All worship, honouring, or service invented by the brain of man in the religion of God without His express commandment is idolatry."The great Scriptural principle, which alone is fitted to protect the Church of Christ from Ritualism and Romanism, is that
nothing is to be admitted into the worship of God which is not approved in the Word of God.
This principle is explained by the assembly of English, Scottish, and Irish divines who met at Westminster, 300 years ago, when they condemned
"all devising, counselling, commanding, using, or anywise approving any religious worship not instituted by God Himself; and corrupting the worship of God, adding to it, or taking from it, whether invented and taken up of ourselves, or received by tradition from others, though under the title of antiquity, custom, devotion, good intent, or any other pretence whatsomever."
There is no other measuring line for the sanctuary
which can protect the Church from the wildest fancies in worship,
and the people from the tyranny of ministers and majorities in imposing the fashions they see fit.If the majority in one congregation prefer an organ to all other instruments of music, and impose it on a minority,
then majorities in other congregations may have and impose different instruments, and instruments that may be much more acceptable to them, as fiddles, the bagpipes, and banjos.
If it is proper to introduce any rites and ceremonies not expressly prohibited in the Scriptures, then there is no barrier against the admission, if a majority wish it, of all the rites and ceremonies of the ritualists and Romanists. The whole ritualistic and Romish wardrobe and apparatus can be justified, with crucifixes, incense, candles, and whole Pontifical ceremonial.
The will of the King in Zion is thus despised, and human tastes and fancies run riot in the courts of the Lord. "In all ways," writes Charnock,
"men have been forward to disfigure God's models and dress up a brat of their own.
It is natural for men to worship God in a human way, and not in a Divine. As though God had not understanding enough to prescribe the form of His own worship, and not wisdom enough to support it without the crutches of human prudence. Human prudence is too low to parallel Divine wisdom; it is an incompetent judge of what is fit, for an Infinite Majesty.
Though in this they do not seem to climb up above God, yet
they set themselves in the throne of God, envy Him an absolute monarchy, would be sharers with Him in His legislative power, and grasp one end of His sceptre in their own hands."The Reformers fearlessly applied this principle to the Church at the Reformation, and delivered her from all those rites and ceremonies for which no Scriptural warrant could be produced. Acting upon it, they thrust out altars, crosses, images, liturgies, and the material adjuncts and ceremonies of human invention in use. The General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, in a letter to the Assembly at Westminster, wrote that: "We were greatly refreshed to hear of your praiseworthy proceedings, and of the great good things the Lord hath wrought among you and for you.
Shall it seem a small thing in our eyes that many corruptions, as altars, images, and other monuments of idolatry and superstition are removed, defaced, and abolished; the service-book in many places forsaken;
the great organs at Paul's and Peter's taken down."
It was because this principle was so thoroughly applied that Knox could boldly say:
"All others retain some footsteps of anti-Christ and some dregs of Popery, but we (all praise to God alone) have nothing within our churches that ever flowed from that man of sin;"
and that Rutherford could joyously say: "It is not brick nor clay, nor Babel's cursed timber and stones, that is in our sacred temple, but our blessed King Jesus is building His house, all palace work and carved stones: it is the habitation of the Lord."
If the Protestant Churches of the land are to be delivered from the pro-Romish influences at work, this principle, which rejects all forms and ceremonies which have no Scriptural warrant, must be again fearlessly enforced.
The trustees who would administer the estate of a testator in ways not prescribed by the deed of their incorporation, would expose themselves to an action of serious issues in the highest Courts of the land;
and why should administrators of the will and testament of the great King travel beyond the provisions of that will, and attempt to extend it by measures for which no warrant can be produced from the Trust-deed?
If this Scriptural doctrine regulating worship were universally adopted, then defiance could be hurled at all the ritualists and Romanists in the empire. The citadel of Protestantism would be safe thus far from these foes. Otherwise, there will be those within the citadel in sympathy with the enemy and ready to open the gates.
For the sake of ecclesiastical unity, in defence of the Scriptural doctrine of worship and of true liberty, and in loyalty to the King of the Church,
let all rites and ceremonies in religion, of human device, be driven into everlasting exile from this land of Emmanuel.
From the Reformed Presbyterians
See a similar Presbyterian discussion of Instruments and Organization as Sectarian Additions.
Counter added 5.26.06 8:13 7:16 2800/ rev 12.26.06
