(Number 13, by Anonymous)
AMONG projected alterations in the Liturgy, not the least popular seems to be a very considerable change in the selection of the Sunday Lessons. People do not see, first of all, why such and such chapters are chosen out of the Old Testament, in preference to others which they think more edifying. Secondly they see no reason why the Church should not assign Proper Lessons to every Sunday from the New Testament as well as from the Old.
AMONG projected alterations in the Liturgy, not the least popular seems to be a very considerable change in the selection of the Sunday Lessons. People do not see, first of all, why such and such chapters are chosen out of the Old Testament, in preference to others which they think more edifying. Secondly they see no reason why the Church should not assign Proper Lessons to every Sunday from the New Testament as well as from the Old.
One who hopes that he should not be
found froward, were a change to be made by competent Spiritual
Authority, begs leave, nevertheless, to submit to all considerate
lovers of the Prayer Book, the following remarks on the two points
specified above.
- Before people find fault with the selection of particular chapters, they ought to be tolerably certain that they understand the principle, on which the Lessons in general were selected. It is to be regretted, that we have remaining little, if any, historical evidence touching the views of the Compilers of the Liturgy, in that portion of their task. What we do know, amounts to this:—
In King Edward’s Prayer-Books no
distinction was made, as to appointing lessons, between Sundays and
-other days of the week. The chapter of the Old Testament set down
for the day of the month was read in course for the Sunday Lesson; as
is the case still in regard of the New Testament. With a view to
this, probably the well-known notice was prepared, which now stands
prefixed to the Second Book of Homilies, but in Strype’s opinion
belongs rather to the First Book. "Where, (i. e. whereas it may
so chance, some one or other chapter of the Old Testament to fall in
order to be read upon the Sundays or Holidays, which were better to
be changed with some other of the New Testament for more edification,
it shall be well done to spend your time to consider well of such
chapters before-hand." This came out first, as it seems, in
1560; and about the same time a Commission was given to Archbishop
Parker, Bishop Grindal, and others; " to peruse the order of the
Lessons, throughout the whole year, and to cause new calenders to be
printed." In pursuance of which the present Table of Sunday
Lessons was prepared, and came out the same year. We may then
consider it as Archbishop Parker’s; and surely not one among the
Reformers might be more thoroughly depended on for a sound practical
view of things. Farther than this, we have no direct information. We
must be guided there fore, entirely by the internal evidence of the
Lessons themselves.
The series begins from Septuagesima
Sunday, because it was the custom of the early Church to read the
Book of Genesis in Lent. Let us examine them in their order, ending
with the 6th Sunday after Epiphany in the following year. We shall
find, if I mistake not, that the selection may be accounted for on
this supposition, viz. That the arrangers desired to exhibit GOD’S
former dealings with His chosen people collectively and the return
made by them to GOD, in such manner as might best illustrate His
dealing with each individual, chosen now to be in His Church, and the
snares and temptations most apt to beset us as Christians. (more)
