"Those who are for no changes, and those who befriend all changes are equally unreasonable and anti-scriptural in their conduct."— DAVID KING, LL.D "Quòd si tam Græcis novitas invisa fuisset, HORAT., Ep. lib. ii. 1. "Reperiuntur ingenia alia in admirationem antiquitatis, alia in amorem et amplexum novitatis effusa: pauca verò ejus temperamenti sunt ut modum tenere possunt, quin ut quæ rectè posita sunt ab antiquis convellant, aut ea contemnant quæ rectè afferuntur a novis."-BACON, Nov. Org. lib. i. 56. PREFACE. IN N the following pages an account is given of some of the changes that have taken place, more or less recently, in the mode of conducting the services of Public Worship in the Presbyterian Churches, especially in one of the Dissenting Presbyterian Churches, of Scotland. Use has been made to some extent of a volume published a few years ago, which contained historical notices of the United Presbyterian Congregation of which the Author is the senior minister. Some of those who have read that book may also peruse this; but the Author does not apprehend any complaint on their part, as it will be found that, where the same topics are adverted to, the illustration has been varied, and very considerably enlarged, and the greater part of this work is new. "Public worship," says Vinet, "comprehends, according to the usual mode of regarding it, all that occupies the time during which a congregation is assembled in the name of God," thus including instruction as well as devotion. It is in this wide sense that the phrase is used in the title, |