The Presbyterian Church: its Worship, Functions, and Minis- terial Orders.
By the Rev. Alexander Wright, M.A. (Oliphant, Anderson, and Ferrier.)—This book is something between a manual and a pamphlet, as its author confesses to have written it with four objects,—to promote an improvement in the ritual of the various branches of the Presbyterian Church ; to show that such improvements are in accord with the " use and wont" of the Reformed Church of Scotland; to sketch in brief outline the
various Functions and Offices prescribed in the Directory for the Public Worship of God agreed upon by the Assembly of Divines at Westminster, with the assistance of Commissioners from the
Church of Scotland, as a part of the covenanted uniformity in religion betwixt the Churches of Christ in the Kingdoms of Scotland, England, and Ireland; and finally, to indicate both the Scriptural regularity and validity of Presbyterian Orders. Mr. Wright has made a skilful use of the materials bearing upon Scotch ecclesiastical history at his hand; he writes with lucidity and force ; and his book will be found useful for reference and other purposes even by those who do not agree with him. It should be said that Mr. Wright disapproves of every- thing in the shape of sacramentalism. The special demand of himself and of those who think with him is thus put:—" We do not demand or even ask for the exclusive use of any liturgy, but simply for the restoration of the union of liturgical and free prayer. The two forms of prayer should be strenuously contended for and maintained, at all events, in the Church."
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