On this page
-
Text (1)
-
Untitled Article
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
-
-
Transcript
-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.
Untitled Article
the Deity ! If much circumspection l * e necessary in addressing ^ ring ami sinful men , who happen to be elevated by their fellow-mortals to princely dignity or kingly power ; what solemn care , what awful circumspection should ^ company that religious act in which , the being addressed , is the holy ,
unerring * eternalJEHOVAH , Kingof kings , and Lord op lords * This brings me to the point I have particularly in view , nauiely , to recommend extempore * prayer , and to adduce some argu ments in proof of its superiority to written forms . Its superior utility in visiting and administering religious consolation to the sick , is demonstrated thus : ~ -
Every one who has been in the habit of ministering in * ' spiritual things" to the sick , knows that the views , the feelings , the circumstances of almost every individual are distinct from those of every other . The manner and method , therefore , of praying with . the afflicted , should be as diversified as are
the cases . But this cannot be effected by any forms of prayer , I would by no means depreciate those excellent devotional compositions , which do the greatest honour both to the heads and hearts of the authors .- Yet I can , from my own experience , aver , that
reading' prayers to the sick rarely pro * duccs the desired effect . Something more is necessary ; and to enter the house of affliction and mourning with a mind intent on doing all possible good ; to examine , as far as necessity and prudence dictate , into the peculiar
circumstances of the case ; to read the Scriptures , give admonitions and ad- » vice - to soothe and lead the sufferer ^ uaind into the best possible devotional frame ; and then to breathe forth in
solemn and fervent prayer to Almighty God , the spontaneous effusions of a devoutly animated , benevolent , sympathizing heart , seems to be pointed out by reason and revelation as the only proper manner of discharging this very important , this most sacred duty .
The preceding arguments apply with nearly the samo force to the use of eaitempore ^ prdiyav in public worship . It is generally admitted , that " what comes from the heart , reaches the
heart , " but it is very questionable , whether , while the eye and the tongue are engaged in reading the compositions of other * , the heart can feel and seud forth the geaturients so effectually
Untitled Article
as when th ^ y have their origin m tfig mind of ths speaker . " There ars very few mere readers / ' saws an elegant and judicous author , " who have the facility of penetrating the soul and awakening the passions of those who
hear , as the man who seems to talk every word from his very -heart . " * The amazing difference between the effects produced by n merq reader , % ml an animated extempore-speakey , \ % easily ascertained by a , visit to t&e place of worship conducted bv the former * and
then to that served by the latter . Here , the speaker is heard with deep attention the audience anxiously rest on his lips , catch the sacred fire that glows Ui his bosom , an holy flame is kindled in every breast , and thence ascejids a
sweetsmelling incense to heaveu . There , the reader goes over his task unaffected himself , and consequently without affecting liis hearers . Hfc audience feel no interest in what is going on , unless indeed they now and then express a secret wish that it were finished .
But I suspect gome will be ready to Bay , What \ are rant ai * ci rhapsody the criteria of trus devotion ? Certainly not , On the contrary , all possible discouragement should be giv $ n to every thing unbecoming arid irregular in the awful solemnities of religious worship ,
Clamorous unmeaning - prayer , as well as the mzre reading of refined composition , is doubtless disregarded , or indignantly rejected by Him who requires that the feeling sincerity , the rational sensibility of the heart , should be engaged in the production , and have the
direction of every sentence uttered in prayer It might be imagined , that to attain that elegance of language and correctness of expression which , are necessary to the right performance of ewtemporeprayer , is extremely difficult : but that this is by no means the case , I infer
from the circumstance , that persons ol but ordinary capacity do pray extempore , ( as I have many times witnessed both in public and private , ) in very appropriate , and not inelegant lan ^
guage . I am aware that this is cona * monly denominated a gift of prayer , " and so indeed it is from Him from whom proceedeth " every good aw perfect gift ; " but then He hath given to every man , and the only different
* Watt ' s Imp . Mini } chap , xvn
Untitled Article
& 34 On Extempore Religious Servicm *
-
-
Citation
-
Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Sept. 2, 1821, page 534, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2504/page/30/
-