An unattributed note which refers to two illustrations of the interior of the Church (architect: Leslie G Thomson) of which the underlying theme is the Ascension, and gives details of the artists and craftspeople responsible for the chancel furnishing.
Starting from his belief that public worship cannot be made really effective unless there be in the hearts of the worshippers a vital and awe-inspiring conception of God, and drawing upon his experience in Honolulu, G A Johnston Ross calls for arrangements in church buildings which foster devotion.
William McMillan discusses in detail 18th century variations in sacramental practice and the controversy arising therefrom. At its sharpest in the Anti-Burgher wing of the Secession, this arose from varying understandings of the degree of precision to be attached to the word “took” in the dominical words of institution and gave rise at one point to a “Lifter Presbytery”. Sidelights are also cast on other aspects of liturgical practice.
Two papers prepared for a conference of the Society, both of them reflecting, and addressed to, the situation of the time as seen by the writers.
In I W White Anderson places the emphasis on “what”, whereas,
in II A Nevile Davidson gives more attention to “whether” and “for whom”.
Millar Patrick indicates that little evidence exists for the study of the subject. Noting that Church music (like music in general) in Scotland had reached a very low ebb by these times, he asserts that the blame is not to be laid at the door of the Reformers but was due to “a pestilent type of Puritanism” imported from the South, he nevertheless takes a strongly positive view of the words-only1650 Psalter not only in the life and witness of the Covenanters but in the spirituality of church and people to his own time
George T. Wright contributes a long and defensive review of the Book, which he hails as requiring courage on the part of the Editors, the Public Worship Committee and of those choir-masters who introduce it. He dismisses many criticisms as misplaced and provides reasoned arguments against others in the light of the intended purposes of its compilers, which are to provided a standard of musical worthiness for all anthems sung in our churches and to make available a body of anthems (extraordinarily cheaply) of varying schools and degrees of difficulty.
Sir Christopher Nicholson Johnston, Lord Sands, DD, LL D
T B S T(homson) writes of one who was, inter alia, an Hon President of the Society, a Senator of the College of Justice, an ecclesiastical statesman, Procurator, Reader.
Prayers for Services: A Manual for Leaders of Worship, compiled and edited by
Morgan Phelps Noyes; New York and London
A Free Church Liturgy, based on the Words of Holy Scripture, together with a simplified
Latin Rite and Orthodox Liturgy, compiled and arranged by J P Oakden; J M Dent & Sons Ltd
Memorials upon Several Occasions. Prayers and Thanksgivings for Use in Public Worship;
Mowbray
The History and Liturgy of the Sacraments, by Professor A Villien, tr. H W Edwards; London
History of the Church of Foulis Easter, by Arthur B Dalgetty. Dundee: Harley & Cox
The Breviary: Its History and Contents, by Dom Baudot, tr. the Benedictines of Stanbrook.
London and Edinburgh: Sands & Company
Discipleship and Christian Worship. A Study in the Mission of Christ and His Church, by
Edward C Rich, Prebendary of St Paul’s; London: A R Mowbray & Co.
The Nation and the Nation’s Worship, by the Bishop of Norwich. London: Eyre & Spottiswoode
The Story of the Prayer Book, by Percy Dearmer; London
The Gospel Sacraments, by J K Mozley, Canon of St Paul’s; London
An Anthology of Prayer. Compiled for Use in Church and Home, by A S T Fisher,
late Abbot Scholar, Christ Church, Oxford London
The Reid Memorial Church, Edinburgh: The Chancel - Frontispiece
The Reid Memorial Church, Edinburgh: The Communion Table - Facing page 4