Volume 02, Number 02 Nov 1972

The Psychology of Prayer and Worship: A Survey

Alastair V Campbell

Understandings of prayer on the part of James, Freud, and contemporary writers like Lee and the Wiemans, and of worship by Sargant, Pratt, Freud again, Reik and Jung. It is to be regretted that the study of prayer and worship has become detached from the main body of academic psychology, being mainly left in the domain of psychoanalysts. The distinction between objective and subjective aspects of prayer and worship has been too often overlooked. There is too great a bias towards Western Christian practice and not enough study of other religions and their experience.

The Churches of Frederick Pilkington

Hugh Dixon

The article focuses on the period following the Disruption, when the Free Church began to find that its first accommodation was inadequate, and finds Pilkington, albeit ignored and misunderstood, the most original designer of churches in the nineteenth century. The origins of his style are found in the Gothic revival movement but mixed with northern mediaeval style to which Ruskin was drawing attention. The following buildings are discussed: Moray Free (back of Canongate), Penicuik South, Irvine Trinity, Barclay, Auchengray, UPC Morebattle, St John's Kelso, Innerleithen Free, (Cardiff), Dundee St Mark's, Dundee McCheyne, Viewforth (St Oswald's), Lamlash, UPC Dudhope Cres Dundee, Moffat. By the time he returned to London (1884) his designs had gone out of favour but are now being appreciated afresh.

 

Pentecostal Worship in the Church of Scotland - Pt. I

C Gordon Strachan

It is claimed that this movement began in Scotland. Edward Irving is described, and the Catholic Apostolic Church. Speaking in tongues was not in the manner of earlier manifestations, like the Jansenists but were related to faithful response to the study and teaching of the Scriptures. John McLeod Campbell is mentioned in this connection. Irving emphasised and created an expectation that the day of the gifts of the Spirit were not over. The trial of Edward Irving by the Presbytery of London. The renewed speaking in tongues in Kansas and the Irving experience is revisited in that context. Now the phenomenon is more positively received as bringing a necessary vitality to the worship of the church. This development in more recent years is surveyed in the Church of Scotland. The writer welcomes it as a sign of renewal at a time of declinging membership.

Hogg’s 'Confessions of a Justified Sinner'

Ian Campbell

This was not a satire on the church, as often thought, but a satire on human weakness and the imperfections of the human intellect, especially labouring under the sin of pride, living as a saint in public but a hypocrite in private – a double standard. The paper, from a lecturer in the department of English in the University of Edinburgh, examines this premise in a detailed and engrossing account of the unfolding narrative.

The Language of Worship: Introductions and Formulae

John B Logan

A detailed analysis of the announcements such as calls to worship or prayer, introducing hymns, use of Scripture Sentences, including unnecessary circumlocutions. People need to be helped to pray, hearing something for the first time; how biddings can help. Announcing Scripture and following its reading, when introduction to the content is helpful. Intimations are discussed. Ending the service.

Prayer and Nurture

James H McDonald

A lecturer in religious education offers advice on conducting assemblies in schools and how, in language and theme, to help the occasion to be meaningful and relevant to young people. He concludes with a review of several books designed to assist.

The Church Service Society Notes: Annual Meeting

No Author Specified

Professor T F Torrance's presidential address, The Mind of Jesus Christ in Worship – the Problem of Apollinarianism in the Liturgy. The overseas societies of the CSS in Ireland, New Zealand and Victoria are mentioned. The second centenary lecture to be delivered by Rev Prof John Barkley, Belfast. Rev John Heron to be president and the Rev John B Logan to be vice president.

The Archaeology of Baptism

Cyril E Pocknee

In the New Testament there is reference submersion, immersion and affusion. It is necessary to distinguish between the first two. He then discusses surviving fonts and what suggestions they make about the practice of baptism in that place at that time. Many such baptisteries were separate from the church building itself. It is wrong to think baptisms were performed in the presence of the congregation. Greater study needs to be made of baptisma. Infant baptism is discussed.