This is a reprint from a French journal which describes the foundation of the Community and outlines its aims. There is description of the patterns of worship and of the life of the brothers in their various capacities, skills and tasks. The ecumenical nature of the Community is affirmed.
Journals
First, the historian Ronald G Cant outlines the history of the early foundations (hospital, college), their translation into being one of St Andrews's parish churches, and the sojourn of the congregation in the university church of St Salvator. Then the current minister of the church, W L Coulthard, outlines the steps leading to the removal of the parish church to another part of the town and gives a detailed description of the new Macgregor Chalmers building. There is also a detailed account of the stained glass. The article is illustrated.
Reference: Volume 23 1953, p18
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
 The Churches of St Leonard at St Andrews | 5.34 MB |
The author shows that plainsong is not an innovation (as in Church Hymnary: Third Edition) and is much older than the 'old tunes' preferred by most. He outlines the experience of his own congregation, how plainsong took them back to the power (and the Scottish tradition) of unison singing. He also explains the nature of plainsong.
Reference: Volume 23 1953, p26
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| Why Not Plainsong? | 2.93 MB |
The writer is editor of Life and Work and describes some of the features of a recent correspondence which centred around worship. He finds evidence for hunger, and much agreement as to how to meet this more fully. Examples included a less casual beginning, more physical action such as standing or kneeling in prayer, dividing prayers, responses in prayer, speaking our confession, a more constant reference to the Sacrament even when not celebrated, more teaching about worship.
Reference: Volume 23 1953, p32
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| Hunger and Famine - in Public Worship? | 2.12 MB |
As always, this surveys not only books about worship but editions of liturgies in English and in other languages. Articles are included, such as that by David McRoberts in the Innes Review on sixteenth century Scottish breviaries.
Reference: Volume 23 1953, p36
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| Some Recent Liturgical Literature | 2.88 MB |
Responses to a paragraph in the last issue of the journal about children's addresses, offering further experiences. The current lack of psalm singing. A retreat held by the Presbytery of Dundee in St Margaret's, Barnhill, on the matter of worship; and a suggestion that other such opportunities be seized, such as lunches and ministers' clubs.
Reference: Volume 23 1953, p41
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| Notes and Comments | 2.95 MB |
St Leonard’s Chapel: Interior, looking eastwards, c.1900 - Facing page 24
St Leonard’s Chapel: Interior, looking eastwards, 1952 - Facing page 24
St Leonard’s Church: Nave and Sanctuary - Facing page 25
St Leonard’s Church: Tower and Main Entrance - Facing page 25
Reference: Volume 23 1953
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| Illustrations in this volume | 1.37 MB |
Presidential Address 1951. The action of the body and the action of the mind, heart and soul must be in accord. The article is a detailed commentary on the rite but following it from the aspect of the inner response of the worshipper. The role of the minister: those who are supposed to lead in worship may lead in its extermination. The effect of the physical on the inner. Speaks of the 'rhapsody of intercession'.
Reference: Volume 22 1952, p3
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| Some Inner Aspects of the Action at the Lord’s Supper | 6.58 MB |
The article begins from the gospel and continues by a review of earlier liturgies which included such prayer. How this element appears in more recent orders.
Reference: Volume 22 1952, p14
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| Prayers for the Sick | 2.5 MB |
The restoration has been continued with the relocation of the pulpit and a discussion follows about its effect within the layout of the building. The contents of the museum are described and a note follows about the formation of the Friends of the Kirk of the Greyfriars.
Reference: Volume 22 1952, p19
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| The Kirk of the Greyfriars, Edinburgh | 3.01 MB |
Earliest worship books. Revisions of the Westminster Directory. The books show that the Session decided how many Communions should be held per year and when. Fast days and long tables, tokens and how the bread and cup were served. Communion plate. There are lists of disbursements to the poor. How catechumens were admitted. The character and conduct of members. The books testify to the dominance of Brownist opinions in Irish Presbyterianism and that the practices of the Protesters were largely followed.
Reference: Volume 22 1952, p24
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| The Evidence of Old Irish Session-Books | 6.4 MB |
Ways of Worship: The Report of a Theological Commission of Faith and Order (SCM), originating from the Edinburgh conference of 1937; Prayers for the Christian Year (second edition, revised and enlarged) ( OUP); Prayers and Services for Christian Festivals, James M Todd (OUP); A Manual of Plainsong for Divine Service, ed. Briggs and Frere, rev. Arnold (Novello, 1952); The Shorter Oxford Bible (OUP); Hymns Ancient and Modern Revised 1950; BBC Hymn-book; Congregational Praise.
Reference: Volume 22 May 1952, p35
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| Reviews | 5.22 MB |
W D Maxwell receives a DD from the University of Glasgow. The considerable variety in the conduct of marriage services. Children's sermons. Receiving the offerings. Maintaining church choirs. The one-day conference in Greyfriars on 'Worship and the Arts'.
Reference: Volume 22 1952, p44
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| Notes and Comments | 1.68 MB |
Greyfriars’ Church: The Nave, looking eastward - Facing page 18
Greyfriars’ Church: The Pulpit - Facing page 19
Reference: Volume 22 1952
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| Illustrations | 671.92 KB |
This article is the author’s Presidential Address to the Society’s Annual Meeting on 26th May 1950. He considers the Sacraments are not valued among us as they should be. The two Gospel Sacraments were of the greatest importance in the earliest Christian Church but their simplicity was almost completely left behind in the medieval period. The Reformers saw and emphasised the essential connection between Sacraments and Scripture; they restored the Sacraments to their proper place in the life of the Church. The value of the Sacraments has been overshadowed by the preaching of the Word and the time is now ripe for a careful reconsideration of their place in the whole life and worship of the Christian community. Baptism is primarily the bestowal of God’s grace. More stress must be laid on the responsibility of the parents. Baptism must be followed by instruction both in doctrine and in worship. The subject of Confirmation urgently calls for scholarly research and theological thought at the present time. Its origin and administration is veiled in obscurity. The rite of initiation in the Early Church comprised Profession of Faith; Baptism; Laying-on of hands and Admission to the Lord’s Table. We have largely forgotten the sacramental character of the Laying-on of hands. In this act we acknowledge our weakness and humbly seek divine grace. Preparation for Confirmation ought to be as careful and thorough as circumstances allow; often it is not. Suggestions as to what form the preparation and Confirmation should take are given. The Lord’s Supper is both a commemoration and a eucharist. In early times it was observed every Lord’s Day; the Reformers wanted to return to this practice but practical difficulties resulted in less frequent administration. Today the practice of infrequent Communion continues, laying a disproportionate stress on preaching. Until recently, the sense of importance was partially safeguarded by ‘fencing’ and tokens, but no longer. The Sacrament has become an extra and our whole devotional life suffers. The author suggests a celebration at least monthly ‘with an atmosphere of thanksgiving and gladness’ and taken to the infirm as often as they wish it. He concludes by advocating the separation of attendance at the Sacrament from regulations about inclusion on the Communicants’ Roll.
Reference: Volume 21 1951, p3
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| The Place of the Sacraments in the Life of the Church | 5.9 MB |