The Religious Life of LondonRitchie, J. Ewing (James Ewing)
Religion
The Religious Life of London
Ritchie, J. Ewing (James Ewing)
London (England) -- Religion; Religious thought -- England -- London
The service begins with a hymn, followed by certain passages from the
Bible, in which all the congregation join, with the help of an efficient
organ and choir. Then the minister reads, while the congregation kneel,
a prayer of confession and supplication, ending with a prayer to “our
Father who art in the _heavens_.” Then the congregation stand while the
minister reads the Ten Commandments or the Beatitudes. Again passages
from the Psalms are sung, and there is another prayer, varied according
to its being the first, or second, or third, or fourth Sunday—a variation
deserving to be imitated if ever we have a reformed Book of Common
Prayer. In these prayers there is a scrupulous avoidance of evangelical
formulas. Of course we hear nothing of the blood of Christ to wash away
the stain of sin; and if terms are used common to other denominations,
they are carefully toned down. Instead, praise and adoration are offered
“for the establishment of a church upon earth as the means of raising us
to heaven, and may it be increasingly receptive of those exalted
principles which constitute Thy spiritual Zion; and may it speedily
advance to that glorious state which is the subject of prophetic promise.
Grant that the holy city, New Jerusalem, descending from Thee out of
heaven, may be more and more extensively welcomed; and that all who are
enabled to perceive its heavenly nature may show forth the knowledge of
Thy truth by a life in agreement with its dictates.” Hymns, more
philosophical than theological, are sung, and sacred anthems. No
reference is made to other churches, or to other bodies of Christians.
Amongst the special services we find Christ is thanked for His victory
over the _hells_. God is, we are told, one in essence and in person; and
in Him is the Divine Trinity of Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. The
partaker of “the Holy Supper,” as it is called, is required “to
acknowledge that the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ is the only God of
heaven, and that His humanity is divine.” In the Marriage Service we are
told, “Love truly conjugal is the union of two minds, which is a
spiritual union, and all spiritual union descends from heaven. Hence
love truly conjugal comes from heaven, and its origin, from the marriage
of goodness and truth there.” But while we have been looking through the
liturgy, the preacher has read a short prayer, and has commenced his
sermon, the text of which, you may be sure, is taken from the Old
Testament. Let us listen. I have said it is sure to be taken from the
Old Testament. The reason is, Swedenborg rejects the Acts of the
Apostles, and the Epistles, or, rather, declares that they have no
“internal sense.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account