PRESBYTERIAN WORSHIP
ITS SPIRIT
METHOD AND
HISTORY
BY
ROBERT JOHNSTON, D.D.,
London.
TORONTO;
THE PUBLISHERS' SYNDICATE, LIMITED.
1901
INTRODUCTION.
The worship of the sanctuary is a living subject of discussion andpractice in the Presbyterian Churches of the world at large, and,within late years, in that of the Canadian Dominion. Many earnestminds are approaching the study of the subject from variousstandpoints, each worthy of attentive consideration. One regards itfrom the dogmatic position of scriptural precedent, or from the largerone of Christian principle; the aesthetic mind comes to it with visionsof order and beauty; the practical, with his view of the Church's needsin mission fields and in mixed congregations. There is room in thediscussion for the largest statement of lawful opinion, founded onconviction of absolute right, and on Christian expediency, and for theexercise of abundant charity.
Dr. Johnston gives no uncertain sound on the subject. To his mind theduty of the Church, first and last, is to preserve spirituality ofworship, and to discountenance everything that may tend to interferewith the same. But, while this spirit pervades his work, his method ishistorical, and thus preeminently fair and impartial in statement. Thepresentation of the argument in concrete or historical form invests itwith an interest which could hardly be commanded by either dogmatic orpractical methods, while it excludes neither.
Dr. Johnston brings to his task ripe scholarship, including extensiveknowledge of Church history and ecclesiology, his proficiency in whichhe has recently vindicated in such a manner as to leave no room fordoubt. To this he adds the teaching of pastoral experience in missionfields, prior to his ordination, and, since then, in large andinfluential congregations; and, to crown the whole, heartfelt devotionto the Church of his fathers, and unswerving personal loyalty to itsKing and Head.
With adoring thanks to the great Teacher of us all, who rewardsprofessors in their declining years with the affectionate regard oftheir whilom best students, now become wise and strong men in theChurch's service, I cordially commend to all who may read these words,this outcome of Dr. Johnston's Christian erudition and conscientiousliterary labor.
(signature of John Campbell)
PRESBYTERIAN COLLEGE,
MONTREAL, March, 1901.