Episcopal Church. Joint Commission on the Book of.
Report of the Joint commission on the Book of common prayer, appointed by the General convention of 1913 online
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Report
of the Joint Commission on
Cl)e Boofe of Common laraper
Appointed by
The General Convention of 19 13
Report
of the Joint Commission on
Cl)e Boofe of Common ^xavtx
Appointed by
The General Convention of 19 13
\
,» > »*
TBo0ton
D. B. Updike -The Merrymount Press
1916
M.F\
Price ^i.ool
^ PUBLIC LIBRARY
I 82Hb03
I ASTOR, LENOX AND
I TILDEN FOUNDATIONS
I a VJ19 L
D. B. Updike The Merry mount Press Boston
Contents
Page
Resolution of 1913
V
Members of the Commission
vi
The Report
vii
The Schedule: Part I
Resolution
I. Arrangement of the Book of Common
Prayer
3
II. Morning Prayer
15
III. Evening Prayer
23
IV. Prayers and Thanksgivings
28
V. The Litany
42
VI. The Psalter
45
VII. The Order for the Holy Communion
49
VIII. The Collects, Epistles, and Gospels
67
IX. Public Baptism of Infants
87
X. Private Baptism of Children
90
XI. Baptism of Such as are of Riper Years
93
XII. A Catechism
96
XIII. The Order of Confirmation
105
C iii J
Resolution Page
XIV. Solemnization of Matrimony 110
XV. Visitation of the Sick 111
XVI. The Communion of the Sick 126
XVII . The Order for the Burial of the Dead 129
XVIII. A Penitential Office 144
XIX. The Ordinal 145
XX. Consecration of a Church 149
XXI. Institution of Ministers 151
XXII. Setting Apart of Deaconesses 153
XXIII. Prayers to be used in Families 162
The Schedule: Part II
I. Morning Prayer and Evening
Prayer 171
II. The Order for the Holy Communion 172
III. Baptism 174
IV. Matrimony 176
C iv ]
Resolution of 19 13
RESOLVED: That a Joint Commission
. consisting of seven Bishops, seven Pres-
byters, and seven Laymen be appointed to
consider and report to the next General Con-
vention such revision and enrichment of the
Prayer Book as will adapt it to present con-
ditions, if, in their judgment, such revision be
necessary; Provided, that no proposition in-
volving the Faith and Doctrine of the Church
shall be considered or reported upon by the
Commission; and Provided, that no proposal
to change the Title-page of the Prayer Book
or the Name of the Church shall be referred
to said Commission.
[ V ]
The Commission on the Revision and Enrichment of the
Book of Common Prayer appointed by the General Conven-
tion of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States
of America^ October^ 1913.
The Bishop of Pittsburgh (^Chairman).
The Bishop of Western New York.*
The Bishop of Louisiana.*
The Bishop of Atlanta.
The Bishop of Nebraska.
The Bishop of Long- Island.
The Bishop of Los Angeles.
The Rev. Samuel Hart, D.D., of Connecticut.
The Rev. Edward L. Parsons, D.D., of California.
The Rev. John W. Suter, of Massachusetts {Secretary).
The Rev. Henry R. Gummey, D.D., of Tennessee.
The Rev. Lucien M. Robinson, D.D., of Pennsylvania.
The Rev. Howard B. St. George, D.D., of Milwaukee.
The Rev. John R. Moses, of Long Island. t
Mr. George Wharton Pepper, of Pennsylvania.
Mr. T. W. Bacot, of South Carolina.
Mr. Charles G. Saunders, of Massachusetts.
Mr. Hamilton W. Mabie, of Newark.*
Mr. Robert H. Gardiner, of Maine.
Mr. F. J. McMaster, of Missouri {Treasurer).
Mr. E. P. Bailey, of Chicago.*
Subsequently appointed
The Rev. Charles L. Slattery, D.D., of New York.
Mr. George Zabriskie, of New York.
Mr. William C. Sturgis, of Colorado.
* Resigned.
t Deceased.
[ vi ]
Report
To the General Convention of the Protestant Episcopal
Church in the United States of America:
THE Joint Commission appointed by the
General Convention of 1913 to consider
the question of the revision and enrichment
of the Prayer Book respectfully submit their
report.
At their first meeting, held in New York
on April 15,1914, they organized, and elected
the Right Reverend, the Bishop of Pittsburgh
as Chairman, and the Reverend Samuel Hart,
D.D., as Secretary.
Shortly thereafter Doctor Hart found that he
w^as prevented from serving by a pressure of
other duties, and the Commission have there-
fore been deprived of his wise counsel. The
Very Reverend John R. Moses was elected
Secretary in his place, and continued to serve
until the work of the Commission had entered
upon its final stage. Association with him in-
tensified the affectionate regard in which he
was held by his fellows, and his sudden death
has meant to them the loss of a helpful col-
c vii 3
league and a valued friend. The Reverend
John W. Suter was appointed to succeed Dean
Moses as Secretary.
The Commission have given due considera-
tion to all matters specifically referred to them
by General Convention, including the Report
of the Committee on the Prayer Book [Jour-
nal of the General Convention, 1913, page 330 ) .
The Commission make no recommendations
regarding modified forms of administration of
the Elements in Holy Communion, or regard-
ing an Office for the Anointing of the Sick.
With regard to other matters so referred, they
will be found, in most instances, to have been
incorporated or made use of in the Schedule
accompanying this Report.
In considering proposals for changing the
Prayer Book the Commission have been
guided by the principle that the sanction of
long usage carries with it a strong presump-
tion in favour of the existing form ; and con-
sequently any change should be supported by
a clear preponderance of argument. All the
changes which they recommend tend, in their
judgment, to promote reverence, or to in-
crease the usefulness of the formularies by
[ viii ]
adapting them to meet, better than heretofore,
the varied conditions of the present day, or to
conform the liturgical worship of the Church
more closely to approved liturgical principles.
In short, they have tried to make the Prayer
Book more serviceable to the people.
The conclusions of the Commission have
been reached after deliberate consideration and
reconsideration, both in committee and in re-
peated sessions of the Commission. They are
contained in the Schedule annexed to this re-
port. In most instances they have been adopted
by unanimous agreement ; while in some others
they have been carried by a majority of not
less than three-fourths. All such conclusions
are contained in Part I of the Schedule. The
few instances in which decisions have been
taken by a majority less than three-fourths
are reported in Part II.
It seems proper to refer to the Commission's
view of their duty in relation to the first pro-
viso in the resolution for their appointment.
Experience has happily shown the insertion of
either proviso to have been unnecessary. No
disposition has been manifested in any quarter,
at any stage of the Commission's work, to con-
sider any proposition involving an alteration or
a restatement of the Faith or Doctrine of the
Church. Faith or Doctrine, however, is involved
in each expression of worship ; and every pro-
posal for revision or enrichment does neces-
sarily touch them. No form of prayer or praise,
of intercession or thanksgiving, or of exhor-
tation, could be added to the Prayer Book
or taken out of it, or in any degree altered or
amended, without involving expressions of
what the Church believes or teaches. It has
been obvious to the Commission that the Gen-
eral Convention did not instruct them to make
no change in the Book, but to make no change
in it that would involve a change in the belief
or teaching of the Church. To this principle
they have adhered.
The Commission have had the benefit of
many suggestions both public and private from
the clergy and from the laity, which are too
numerous to be separately acknowledged.
They have all been considered. Some have
been adopted in form or in substance ; others
have been found, in the judgment of the Com-
mission, undesirable. In all cases the thanks
of the Commission are extended to those who
[ X :
by their advice have shown their interest in
the subject in hand.
In conclusion, the Commission recommend
that the several Resolutions contained in the
Schedule annexed to this Report be adopted
by the General Convention.
CORTLANDT WHITEHEAD, Chairman.
John W. Suter, Secretary.
July, 1916.
XI
THE SCHEDULE
THE SCHEDULE
Part I
RESOLUTION I
RESOLVED: The House of Bishops (the
^ House of Deputies) concurring: That
the following changes be made in the arrange-
ment of the Book of Common Prayer and in the
matter contained in pages i to xxviii thereof,
and that the proposed alterations be made
known to the several Dioceses in order that
they may be severally adopted by the next
General Convention in accordance with the
provisions of Article X of the Constitution.
(l) Transfer:
a. The Prayers and Thanksgivings to follow
Evening Prayer.
b. The Litany to follow the Prayers and
Thanksgivings.
c. The Psalter to follow the Litany.
d. The Holy Communion to follow the Psalter.
e. The Collects, Epistles, and Gospels to fol-
low The Holy Communion.
f. The Penitential Office to a place at the
end of the Occasional Offices.
c 3 n
(2) Distribute the constituent parts of the Service
for Thanksgiving Day as follows :
a. Transfer the opening Sentences to follow im-
mediately after the Sentences of Scripture for
Trinity Sunday at Morning Prayer, and
indent Thanksgiving Day.
b. Transfer the Collect^ Epistle^ and Gospel to
a place among The Collects, Epistles, and
Gospels, as specified later in this Report,
and prefix to them the title. Thanksgiving
Day.
c. Transfer the Anthem to be used instead of the
Venite, with its rubric, to precede the Col-
lect^ Epistle^ and Gospel.
d. Strike out the second rubric on page 320,
" The First Lesson shall Z»d'," etc., and in-
sert the Lessons in the Table of Proper
Lessons for Holy-days, immediately after
All Saints.
e. Transfer the ThanksgivingPrayer to Thanks-
givings , and insert it as the first of the
Thanksgivings, omitting the rubric which
precedes it, and prefixing this title, A
Thanksgiving to Almighty God for the
Fruits of the Earth and all the other
Blessings of his merciful Providence.
(3) Amend directions entitled Concerning the Ser-
vice OF the Church, page vii, so as to read as
follows :
I 4 ]
The Order for the Celebration of the Lord's
Supper or Holy Communion, the Order for
Morning Prayer, the Order for Evening Prayer,
and the Litany, as set forth in this Book, are
the regular Services appointed for Public Wor-
ship in this Church, and shall be used accord-
ingly ; Provided^ that in addition to these Ser-
vices the Minister, in his discretion, subject to
the direction of the Ordinary, may use other
devotions taken from this Book or from any
Book set forth by the authority of this Church
or from Holy Scripture ; and Provided further^
that, subject to the direction of the Ordinary,
in Mission Churches or Chapels, and when ex-
pressly authorized by the Ordinary in Cathe-
dral or Parish Churches or other places, such
other devotions as aforesaid may be used when
the edification of the Congregation so requires
in place of the Order for Morning Prayer or
the Order for Evening Prayer.
The Litany may be used either in place of
the Prayers that follow the Collect for Grace in
the Order for Morning Prayer, or in place of the
Prayers that follow the Collect for Jid against
Perils in Evening Prayer, or immediately before
the Service for Holy Communion, or it may be
used in a separate Service.
For Days of Fasting and Thanksgiving, ap-
pointed by the Civil or Ecclesiastical Author-
ity, and for other special occasions for which
no Service or Prayer hath been provided in this
C 5 ]
Book, the Bishop may set forth such form or
forms as he shall see fit, in which case none
other shall be used.
Note : That in the directions for the several
Services in this Book it is not intended by the
use of any particular word denoting vocal utter-
ance to prescribe the tone or manner of their
recitation.
(4) Make the following alterations concerning the
Psalter :
a. Amend the directions entitled The Order
HOW THE Psalter is appointed to be read,
page vii, so as to read as follows :
The Use of the Psalter.
In places where it is convenient, the Psalter
shall be read through once every month.
The Minister shall, on the days for which
they are appointed, use one or more of the
Proper Psalms, as set forth in the Table of
Proper Psalms.
But Note^ That on other days, instead of
reading from the Psalter, as divided for Daily
Morning and Evening Prayer, he may read one
or more of the Psalms for the Day, or one or
more of the Psalms from the Selections set forth
by this Church.
b. Strike out the Table of Proper Psalms on Cer-
tain Days and the Table of Selections of
Psalms following The Order how the Psalter
C 61
is appointed to he read^ and substitute for
them the Tables of Psalms proposed here-
after in this Report.
(5) Amend the directions entitled The Order how
THE REST OF THE HoLY ScRIPTURE IS APPOINTED TO
BE READ, page viii, by inserting in the last para-
graph thereof after the words ' ' Charitable Col-
lections ' ' the words ' ' and on other special occa-
sions," and omitting the word "and" before
"on occasions," in the second line.
(6) Amend the Calendar, pages xii-xxiii, by in-
serting in distinctive type, the following names
of Saints opposite the respective dates :
4 Titus
4 Ambrose
13 Hilary
2 1 Anselm
24 Timothy
23 George
27 Chrysostom
J
May
February
2 Athanasius
1 Ignatius
2 4 Vincent of Lerins
3 Ansgarius
2 6 Augustine of Canter-
14 Valentine
bury
27 Bede
March
June
1 David
5 Boniface
2 Chad
9 Columba
12 Gregory the Great
17 Alban
17 Patrick
28 Irenaeus
19 Joseph
2 1 Philemon
c 7 :
July October
5 Vladimir 4 Francis of Assisi
17 Osmund 6 Faith
22 Mary Magdalene 9 Denys
26 Anne 13 Edward Confessor
August November
10 Laurence 7 Willebrod
28 Augustine 11 Martin
31 Aidan 22 Cecilia
23 Clement of Rome
^ 25 Catherine of Siena
September
1 Giles December
28 Cyprian 4 Clement of Alexandria
30 Jerome 6 Nicholas
(7) After the directions entitled Tables and Rules
FOR THE Movable and Immovable Feasts, page
xxiv, following the direction for the observance
of Thanksgiving Day^ insert the following :
Rules of the Precedence of Holy -days
table I
Because of their dignity and liturgical distinc-
tion , or because of the sequence of special teach-
ing connected with a stated season, the Holy-
days following have precedence of any other
Sunday or Holy-day:
The Sundays in Advent
The Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ
The Epiphany
Septuagesima \
Sexagesima \ Sundays
Quinquagesimaj
C 8 ]
Ash- Wednesday
The Sundays in Lent
All the days of Holy Week
Easter-day ; and the seven following days
The Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ ; and the
Sunday after Ascension-day
Whitsunday ; and the six following days
Trinity Sunday
If any other Holy-day fall on any day noted in
the above Table, the observance of such Holy-
day va^iy be transferred to the first open day.
TABLE II
The following Holy-days have precedence of
days not noted in Table I :
St. Stephen the Martyr
St, John the Evangelist
The Holy Innocents
The Circumcision of our Lord Jesus Christ
The Conversion of St. Paul
The Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary
All Feasts of Apostles or Evangelists
The Transfiguration of our Lord Jesus Christ
St. Michael and All Angels
All Saints
On these Holy -days the Collect, Epistle, and
Gospel for the Feast shall be used ; but the
Collect for the Feast shall be followed by the
Collect for the Sunday.
(8) Prefix to each of the four Principal Parts into
which the Public Services contained in the Prayer
C9 -}
Book are divided, a separate Title-page as fol-
lows:
a. Immediately to precede the Order for Morn-
ing Prayer:
MORNING AND EVENING
PRAYER
together with
PRAYERS AND THANKSGIVINGS
THE LITANY
THE PSALTER
b. Immediately to follow The Psalter :
THE HOLY COMMUNION
together with
THE COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS
c. Immediately to follow The Collects, Epistles,
AND Gospels:
RITES AND CEREMONIES OF
THE CHURCH
THE ORDER FOR BAPTISM
THE ORDER FOR CONFIRMATION
SOLEMNIZATION OF MATRIMONY
THE CHURCHING OF WOMEN
THE VISITATION OF THE SICK
THE COMMUNION OF THE SICK
THE BURIAL OF THE DEAD
together with
A CATECHISM
A PENITENTIAL OFFICE
d. Immediately to follow the Penitential
Office :
THE ORDINAL
being
THE FORM OF MAKING, ORDAIN ING, AND
CONSECRATING BISHOPS, PRIESTS,
AND DEACONS
together with
THE FORM OF CONSECRATION OF A CHURCH
AN OFFICE OF INSTITUTION OF MINISTERS
A FORM FOR THE SETTING APART OF DEA-
CONESSES
(9) rt. Remove the Forms of Prayer to be used in
Families from the Prayer Book, and print
them after the Articles of Religion, prefix-
ing a separate Title as follows :
c 11 J
Forms of Prayer to be used in Families
WITH Additional Prayers.
b. After the rubric at the end of Evening Fam-
ily Prayer, page 327, add the Title, Addi-
tional Prayers, and the Prayers set forth
under that Title, in this Report.
(10) Omit from the Book of Common Prayer the
following Offices :
a. Forms of Prayer to be used at Sea, pages
305-312.
b. A Form of Prayer for the Visitation of
Prisoners, pages 312-318.
c. A Form of Prayer and Thanksgiving to
Almighty God, pages 319-322.
( 1 1 ) Correct the Table of Contents at the beginning
of the Prayer Book so as to read as follows :
Table of Contents
1 . The Ratification of the Book of Common
Prayer.
2. The Preface.
3. Concerning the Service of the Church,
with the Order how the Psalter and the
rest of the Holy Scripture is appointed
to be read.
4 . Tables of Proper Lessons of Holy Scripture.
5. The Calendar, with Tables of Lessons of
Holy Scripture.
C 12 ]
6. Tables and Rules for the Movable and Im-
movable Feasts, together with the Days
of Fasting and Abstinence throughout
the Year.
7. Rules of the Precedence of Holy-days.
8. Tables for finding the Holy-days.
9. The Order for Daily Morning Prayer.
10. The Order for Daily Evening Prayer.
11. Prayers and Thanksgivings.
12. The Litany.
13. The Psalter, or Psalms of David.
14. The Divine Liturgy, being the Order for
the Celebration of the Lord's Supper or
Holy Eucharist, commonly called The
Holy Communion.
15. The Collects, Epistles, and Gospels to be
used throughout the Year.
1 6 . The Ministration of Public Baptism of In-
fants, to be used in the Church.
17. The Ministration of Private Baptism of
Infants in Houses.
18. The Ministration of Baptism to such as
are of Riper Years.
19. A Catechism.
20. The Order of Confirmation.
2 1 . The Form of Solemnization of Matrimony .
22. The Churching of Women.
23. The Order for the Visitation of the Sick.
C IS ]
24. The Communion of the Sick.
25. The Order for the Burial of the Dead.
26. The Order for the Burial of a Child.
27. A Penitential Office for Ash- Wednesday.
28. The Form and Manner of Making, Or-
daining, and Consecrating Bishops,
Priests, and Deacons.
29. The Form of Consecration of a Church or
Chapel.
30. An Office of Institution of Ministers into
Parishes or Churches.
31. A Form of Setting Apart of Deaconesses.
Articles of Religion.
Forms of Prayer to be used in Families, with
Additional Prayers,
I 14]
RESOLUTION II
Morning Prayer
RESOLVED: The House of Bishops ( the
. House of Deputies ) concurring : That
the following changes be made in the Order
for Daily Morning Prayer, and that the pro-
posed alterations be made known to the sev-
eral Dioceses in order that they may be sever-
ally adopted in the next General Convention
in accordance with the provisions of Article X
of the Constitution.
(1) In the first rubric on page 1, omit the word
always. ' '
(2) In the second rubric on page 1, omit the first six
words, so that it shall read, ^' He may oinit^^''
etc.
(3) Add at end of the third rubric on page 1, these
words : ' ' The same order may be followed on all
week dayssaveon Days of Fasting or Abstinence. ' '
(4) Substitute in place of the Sentences at present in
the Prayer Book, printing together in one section
without breaks, but indicating in the margin
those appropriate for certain seasons or days,
the foUow^ing Sentences, namely :
C 15 D
THE Lord is in his holy temple : let all the
earth keep silence before him. Hab. ii. 20.
I was glad when they said unto me, We will
go into the house of the Lord. Psalm cxxii. 1.
O send out thy light and thy truth, that they
may lead me : and bring me unto thy holy hill,
and to thy dwelling. Psalm xliii. 3.
Thus saith the high and lofty One that in-
habiteth eternity, whose name is Holy : I dwell
in the high and holy place, with him also that
is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the
spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of
the contrite ones. Isaiah Ivii. 15.
The hour cometh, and now is, when the true
worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit
and in truth : for the Father seeketh such to
worship him. St, John iv. 23.
Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our
Father and from the Lord Jesu s Christ . Phil, i . 2 .
Q. Repent ye ; for the Kingdom of hea-
ven is at hand. St. Matt. iii. 2.
Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make
straight in the desert a highway for our God.
Isaiah xl. 3.
Behold,! bringyou good tidings of great joy,
.« . , which shall be to all people. For unto
Christmas . ^ / ^ .
you is born this day in the city of Da-
vid a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. St.
Luke \\. 10, l\.
„ . , From the risina: of the sun even
Epiphany . . -> r ^
unto the gomg down oi the same my
Name shall be great among the Gentiles ; and
in every place incense shall be offered unto my
Name, and a pure offering : for my Name shall
be great among the heathen, saith the Lord of
hosts. Mai. i. 11.
Awake, awake ; put on thy strength, O Zion ;
put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem.
Isaiah Hi. 1.
Rend your heart, and not your garments, and
turn unto the Lord your God : for he is j
gracious and merciful, slow to anger,
and of great kindness, and repenteth him of
the evil. Joel ii. 13.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit : a
broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt
not despise. Psalm H. 17.
I will arise and go to my father, and will say
unto him. Father, I have sinned against hea-
ven, and before thee, and am no more worthy
to be called thy son. St. Luke xv. 18, 19.
Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by? be-
hold, and see if there be any sorrow ^ â– , r^ . ,
' 1 . 1 . Good rnday
like unto my sorrow which is done
unto me, wherewith the Lord hath afflicted me.
Lam, i. 12.
In whom we have redemption through his
blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the
riches of his grace. Eph. i. 7.
He is risen . The Lord is risen indeed . „
St. Mark xvi. 6; St. Luke xxiv. 34.
This is the day which the Lord hath made ;
n 17 n
we will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm cxviii.
24.
Seeing that we have a great High Priest,
that is passed into the heavens, Jesus
the Son of God, let us come boldly
unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain
mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Heh, iv. 14, 16.
Ye shall receive power, after that the Holy
ixTv-^ J Ghost is come upon you: and ye
W hutsufixcicuu i. J J
shall be witnesses unto me both in
Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria,
and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
Acts\, 8.
Because ye are sons, God hath sent forth
the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying,
Abba, Father. GaL iv. 6.
Trinity ^''^>'' ^"""^^ ' ^""^^ ' ^""^^ ^""^ ^^"
Sunday ^^^^^7' which was, and is, and is to
come. Rev, iv. 8.
Honour the Lord with thy substance, and
with the first-fruits of all thine in-
Thanks- ^^^^^^ . gQ gj^^ii ^i^y h2ixxi^ be filled with
-Q plenty , and thy presses shall burst out
with new wine. Prov, iii. 9, 10.
The Lord by wisdom hath founded the
earth ; by understanding hath he established
the heavens. By his knowledge the depths are
broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew.
Prov, iii. 19, 20.
C 18 3
(5) Amend the rubric before the Absolution^ page 4,
so as to read as follows :
^ To be made by the Priest alone^ standing; the
People still kneeling. The Priest^ at his discre-
tion^ may use^ instead of what follows^ the Abso-
lution from the Order for the Holy Communion.
(6) In the Absolution on page 5, begin a new para-
of the Joint Commission on
Cl)e Boofe of Common laraper
Appointed by
The General Convention of 19 13
Report
of the Joint Commission on
Cl)e Boofe of Common ^xavtx
Appointed by
The General Convention of 19 13
\
,» > »*
TBo0ton
D. B. Updike -The Merrymount Press
1916
M.F\
Price ^i.ool
^ PUBLIC LIBRARY
I 82Hb03
I ASTOR, LENOX AND
I TILDEN FOUNDATIONS
I a VJ19 L
D. B. Updike The Merry mount Press Boston
Contents
Page
Resolution of 1913
V
Members of the Commission
vi
The Report
vii
The Schedule: Part I
Resolution
I. Arrangement of the Book of Common
Prayer
3
II. Morning Prayer
15
III. Evening Prayer
23
IV. Prayers and Thanksgivings
28
V. The Litany
42
VI. The Psalter
45
VII. The Order for the Holy Communion
49
VIII. The Collects, Epistles, and Gospels
67
IX. Public Baptism of Infants
87
X. Private Baptism of Children
90
XI. Baptism of Such as are of Riper Years
93
XII. A Catechism
96
XIII. The Order of Confirmation
105
C iii J
Resolution Page
XIV. Solemnization of Matrimony 110
XV. Visitation of the Sick 111
XVI. The Communion of the Sick 126
XVII . The Order for the Burial of the Dead 129
XVIII. A Penitential Office 144
XIX. The Ordinal 145
XX. Consecration of a Church 149
XXI. Institution of Ministers 151
XXII. Setting Apart of Deaconesses 153
XXIII. Prayers to be used in Families 162
The Schedule: Part II
I. Morning Prayer and Evening
Prayer 171
II. The Order for the Holy Communion 172
III. Baptism 174
IV. Matrimony 176
C iv ]
Resolution of 19 13
RESOLVED: That a Joint Commission
. consisting of seven Bishops, seven Pres-
byters, and seven Laymen be appointed to
consider and report to the next General Con-
vention such revision and enrichment of the
Prayer Book as will adapt it to present con-
ditions, if, in their judgment, such revision be
necessary; Provided, that no proposition in-
volving the Faith and Doctrine of the Church
shall be considered or reported upon by the
Commission; and Provided, that no proposal
to change the Title-page of the Prayer Book
or the Name of the Church shall be referred
to said Commission.
[ V ]
The Commission on the Revision and Enrichment of the
Book of Common Prayer appointed by the General Conven-
tion of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States
of America^ October^ 1913.
The Bishop of Pittsburgh (^Chairman).
The Bishop of Western New York.*
The Bishop of Louisiana.*
The Bishop of Atlanta.
The Bishop of Nebraska.
The Bishop of Long- Island.
The Bishop of Los Angeles.
The Rev. Samuel Hart, D.D., of Connecticut.
The Rev. Edward L. Parsons, D.D., of California.
The Rev. John W. Suter, of Massachusetts {Secretary).
The Rev. Henry R. Gummey, D.D., of Tennessee.
The Rev. Lucien M. Robinson, D.D., of Pennsylvania.
The Rev. Howard B. St. George, D.D., of Milwaukee.
The Rev. John R. Moses, of Long Island. t
Mr. George Wharton Pepper, of Pennsylvania.
Mr. T. W. Bacot, of South Carolina.
Mr. Charles G. Saunders, of Massachusetts.
Mr. Hamilton W. Mabie, of Newark.*
Mr. Robert H. Gardiner, of Maine.
Mr. F. J. McMaster, of Missouri {Treasurer).
Mr. E. P. Bailey, of Chicago.*
Subsequently appointed
The Rev. Charles L. Slattery, D.D., of New York.
Mr. George Zabriskie, of New York.
Mr. William C. Sturgis, of Colorado.
* Resigned.
t Deceased.
[ vi ]
Report
To the General Convention of the Protestant Episcopal
Church in the United States of America:
THE Joint Commission appointed by the
General Convention of 1913 to consider
the question of the revision and enrichment
of the Prayer Book respectfully submit their
report.
At their first meeting, held in New York
on April 15,1914, they organized, and elected
the Right Reverend, the Bishop of Pittsburgh
as Chairman, and the Reverend Samuel Hart,
D.D., as Secretary.
Shortly thereafter Doctor Hart found that he
w^as prevented from serving by a pressure of
other duties, and the Commission have there-
fore been deprived of his wise counsel. The
Very Reverend John R. Moses was elected
Secretary in his place, and continued to serve
until the work of the Commission had entered
upon its final stage. Association with him in-
tensified the affectionate regard in which he
was held by his fellows, and his sudden death
has meant to them the loss of a helpful col-
c vii 3
league and a valued friend. The Reverend
John W. Suter was appointed to succeed Dean
Moses as Secretary.
The Commission have given due considera-
tion to all matters specifically referred to them
by General Convention, including the Report
of the Committee on the Prayer Book [Jour-
nal of the General Convention, 1913, page 330 ) .
The Commission make no recommendations
regarding modified forms of administration of
the Elements in Holy Communion, or regard-
ing an Office for the Anointing of the Sick.
With regard to other matters so referred, they
will be found, in most instances, to have been
incorporated or made use of in the Schedule
accompanying this Report.
In considering proposals for changing the
Prayer Book the Commission have been
guided by the principle that the sanction of
long usage carries with it a strong presump-
tion in favour of the existing form ; and con-
sequently any change should be supported by
a clear preponderance of argument. All the
changes which they recommend tend, in their
judgment, to promote reverence, or to in-
crease the usefulness of the formularies by
[ viii ]
adapting them to meet, better than heretofore,
the varied conditions of the present day, or to
conform the liturgical worship of the Church
more closely to approved liturgical principles.
In short, they have tried to make the Prayer
Book more serviceable to the people.
The conclusions of the Commission have
been reached after deliberate consideration and
reconsideration, both in committee and in re-
peated sessions of the Commission. They are
contained in the Schedule annexed to this re-
port. In most instances they have been adopted
by unanimous agreement ; while in some others
they have been carried by a majority of not
less than three-fourths. All such conclusions
are contained in Part I of the Schedule. The
few instances in which decisions have been
taken by a majority less than three-fourths
are reported in Part II.
It seems proper to refer to the Commission's
view of their duty in relation to the first pro-
viso in the resolution for their appointment.
Experience has happily shown the insertion of
either proviso to have been unnecessary. No
disposition has been manifested in any quarter,
at any stage of the Commission's work, to con-
sider any proposition involving an alteration or
a restatement of the Faith or Doctrine of the
Church. Faith or Doctrine, however, is involved
in each expression of worship ; and every pro-
posal for revision or enrichment does neces-
sarily touch them. No form of prayer or praise,
of intercession or thanksgiving, or of exhor-
tation, could be added to the Prayer Book
or taken out of it, or in any degree altered or
amended, without involving expressions of
what the Church believes or teaches. It has
been obvious to the Commission that the Gen-
eral Convention did not instruct them to make
no change in the Book, but to make no change
in it that would involve a change in the belief
or teaching of the Church. To this principle
they have adhered.
The Commission have had the benefit of
many suggestions both public and private from
the clergy and from the laity, which are too
numerous to be separately acknowledged.
They have all been considered. Some have
been adopted in form or in substance ; others
have been found, in the judgment of the Com-
mission, undesirable. In all cases the thanks
of the Commission are extended to those who
[ X :
by their advice have shown their interest in
the subject in hand.
In conclusion, the Commission recommend
that the several Resolutions contained in the
Schedule annexed to this Report be adopted
by the General Convention.
CORTLANDT WHITEHEAD, Chairman.
John W. Suter, Secretary.
July, 1916.
XI
THE SCHEDULE
THE SCHEDULE
Part I
RESOLUTION I
RESOLVED: The House of Bishops (the
^ House of Deputies) concurring: That
the following changes be made in the arrange-
ment of the Book of Common Prayer and in the
matter contained in pages i to xxviii thereof,
and that the proposed alterations be made
known to the several Dioceses in order that
they may be severally adopted by the next
General Convention in accordance with the
provisions of Article X of the Constitution.
(l) Transfer:
a. The Prayers and Thanksgivings to follow
Evening Prayer.
b. The Litany to follow the Prayers and
Thanksgivings.
c. The Psalter to follow the Litany.
d. The Holy Communion to follow the Psalter.
e. The Collects, Epistles, and Gospels to fol-
low The Holy Communion.
f. The Penitential Office to a place at the
end of the Occasional Offices.
c 3 n
(2) Distribute the constituent parts of the Service
for Thanksgiving Day as follows :
a. Transfer the opening Sentences to follow im-
mediately after the Sentences of Scripture for
Trinity Sunday at Morning Prayer, and
indent Thanksgiving Day.
b. Transfer the Collect^ Epistle^ and Gospel to
a place among The Collects, Epistles, and
Gospels, as specified later in this Report,
and prefix to them the title. Thanksgiving
Day.
c. Transfer the Anthem to be used instead of the
Venite, with its rubric, to precede the Col-
lect^ Epistle^ and Gospel.
d. Strike out the second rubric on page 320,
" The First Lesson shall Z»d'," etc., and in-
sert the Lessons in the Table of Proper
Lessons for Holy-days, immediately after
All Saints.
e. Transfer the ThanksgivingPrayer to Thanks-
givings , and insert it as the first of the
Thanksgivings, omitting the rubric which
precedes it, and prefixing this title, A
Thanksgiving to Almighty God for the
Fruits of the Earth and all the other
Blessings of his merciful Providence.
(3) Amend directions entitled Concerning the Ser-
vice OF the Church, page vii, so as to read as
follows :
I 4 ]
The Order for the Celebration of the Lord's
Supper or Holy Communion, the Order for
Morning Prayer, the Order for Evening Prayer,
and the Litany, as set forth in this Book, are
the regular Services appointed for Public Wor-
ship in this Church, and shall be used accord-
ingly ; Provided^ that in addition to these Ser-
vices the Minister, in his discretion, subject to
the direction of the Ordinary, may use other
devotions taken from this Book or from any
Book set forth by the authority of this Church
or from Holy Scripture ; and Provided further^
that, subject to the direction of the Ordinary,
in Mission Churches or Chapels, and when ex-
pressly authorized by the Ordinary in Cathe-
dral or Parish Churches or other places, such
other devotions as aforesaid may be used when
the edification of the Congregation so requires
in place of the Order for Morning Prayer or
the Order for Evening Prayer.
The Litany may be used either in place of
the Prayers that follow the Collect for Grace in
the Order for Morning Prayer, or in place of the
Prayers that follow the Collect for Jid against
Perils in Evening Prayer, or immediately before
the Service for Holy Communion, or it may be
used in a separate Service.
For Days of Fasting and Thanksgiving, ap-
pointed by the Civil or Ecclesiastical Author-
ity, and for other special occasions for which
no Service or Prayer hath been provided in this
C 5 ]
Book, the Bishop may set forth such form or
forms as he shall see fit, in which case none
other shall be used.
Note : That in the directions for the several
Services in this Book it is not intended by the
use of any particular word denoting vocal utter-
ance to prescribe the tone or manner of their
recitation.
(4) Make the following alterations concerning the
Psalter :
a. Amend the directions entitled The Order
HOW THE Psalter is appointed to be read,
page vii, so as to read as follows :
The Use of the Psalter.
In places where it is convenient, the Psalter
shall be read through once every month.
The Minister shall, on the days for which
they are appointed, use one or more of the
Proper Psalms, as set forth in the Table of
Proper Psalms.
But Note^ That on other days, instead of
reading from the Psalter, as divided for Daily
Morning and Evening Prayer, he may read one
or more of the Psalms for the Day, or one or
more of the Psalms from the Selections set forth
by this Church.
b. Strike out the Table of Proper Psalms on Cer-
tain Days and the Table of Selections of
Psalms following The Order how the Psalter
C 61
is appointed to he read^ and substitute for
them the Tables of Psalms proposed here-
after in this Report.
(5) Amend the directions entitled The Order how
THE REST OF THE HoLY ScRIPTURE IS APPOINTED TO
BE READ, page viii, by inserting in the last para-
graph thereof after the words ' ' Charitable Col-
lections ' ' the words ' ' and on other special occa-
sions," and omitting the word "and" before
"on occasions," in the second line.
(6) Amend the Calendar, pages xii-xxiii, by in-
serting in distinctive type, the following names
of Saints opposite the respective dates :
4 Titus
4 Ambrose
13 Hilary
2 1 Anselm
24 Timothy
23 George
27 Chrysostom
J
May
February
2 Athanasius
1 Ignatius
2 4 Vincent of Lerins
3 Ansgarius
2 6 Augustine of Canter-
14 Valentine
bury
27 Bede
March
June
1 David
5 Boniface
2 Chad
9 Columba
12 Gregory the Great
17 Alban
17 Patrick
28 Irenaeus
19 Joseph
2 1 Philemon
c 7 :
July October
5 Vladimir 4 Francis of Assisi
17 Osmund 6 Faith
22 Mary Magdalene 9 Denys
26 Anne 13 Edward Confessor
August November
10 Laurence 7 Willebrod
28 Augustine 11 Martin
31 Aidan 22 Cecilia
23 Clement of Rome
^ 25 Catherine of Siena
September
1 Giles December
28 Cyprian 4 Clement of Alexandria
30 Jerome 6 Nicholas
(7) After the directions entitled Tables and Rules
FOR THE Movable and Immovable Feasts, page
xxiv, following the direction for the observance
of Thanksgiving Day^ insert the following :
Rules of the Precedence of Holy -days
table I
Because of their dignity and liturgical distinc-
tion , or because of the sequence of special teach-
ing connected with a stated season, the Holy-
days following have precedence of any other
Sunday or Holy-day:
The Sundays in Advent
The Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ
The Epiphany
Septuagesima \
Sexagesima \ Sundays
Quinquagesimaj
C 8 ]
Ash- Wednesday
The Sundays in Lent
All the days of Holy Week
Easter-day ; and the seven following days
The Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ ; and the
Sunday after Ascension-day
Whitsunday ; and the six following days
Trinity Sunday
If any other Holy-day fall on any day noted in
the above Table, the observance of such Holy-
day va^iy be transferred to the first open day.
TABLE II
The following Holy-days have precedence of
days not noted in Table I :
St. Stephen the Martyr
St, John the Evangelist
The Holy Innocents
The Circumcision of our Lord Jesus Christ
The Conversion of St. Paul
The Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary
All Feasts of Apostles or Evangelists
The Transfiguration of our Lord Jesus Christ
St. Michael and All Angels
All Saints
On these Holy -days the Collect, Epistle, and
Gospel for the Feast shall be used ; but the
Collect for the Feast shall be followed by the
Collect for the Sunday.
(8) Prefix to each of the four Principal Parts into
which the Public Services contained in the Prayer
C9 -}
Book are divided, a separate Title-page as fol-
lows:
a. Immediately to precede the Order for Morn-
ing Prayer:
MORNING AND EVENING
PRAYER
together with
PRAYERS AND THANKSGIVINGS
THE LITANY
THE PSALTER
b. Immediately to follow The Psalter :
THE HOLY COMMUNION
together with
THE COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS
c. Immediately to follow The Collects, Epistles,
AND Gospels:
RITES AND CEREMONIES OF
THE CHURCH
THE ORDER FOR BAPTISM
THE ORDER FOR CONFIRMATION
SOLEMNIZATION OF MATRIMONY
THE CHURCHING OF WOMEN
THE VISITATION OF THE SICK
THE COMMUNION OF THE SICK
THE BURIAL OF THE DEAD
together with
A CATECHISM
A PENITENTIAL OFFICE
d. Immediately to follow the Penitential
Office :
THE ORDINAL
being
THE FORM OF MAKING, ORDAIN ING, AND
CONSECRATING BISHOPS, PRIESTS,
AND DEACONS
together with
THE FORM OF CONSECRATION OF A CHURCH
AN OFFICE OF INSTITUTION OF MINISTERS
A FORM FOR THE SETTING APART OF DEA-
CONESSES
(9) rt. Remove the Forms of Prayer to be used in
Families from the Prayer Book, and print
them after the Articles of Religion, prefix-
ing a separate Title as follows :
c 11 J
Forms of Prayer to be used in Families
WITH Additional Prayers.
b. After the rubric at the end of Evening Fam-
ily Prayer, page 327, add the Title, Addi-
tional Prayers, and the Prayers set forth
under that Title, in this Report.
(10) Omit from the Book of Common Prayer the
following Offices :
a. Forms of Prayer to be used at Sea, pages
305-312.
b. A Form of Prayer for the Visitation of
Prisoners, pages 312-318.
c. A Form of Prayer and Thanksgiving to
Almighty God, pages 319-322.
( 1 1 ) Correct the Table of Contents at the beginning
of the Prayer Book so as to read as follows :
Table of Contents
1 . The Ratification of the Book of Common
Prayer.
2. The Preface.
3. Concerning the Service of the Church,
with the Order how the Psalter and the
rest of the Holy Scripture is appointed
to be read.
4 . Tables of Proper Lessons of Holy Scripture.
5. The Calendar, with Tables of Lessons of
Holy Scripture.
C 12 ]
6. Tables and Rules for the Movable and Im-
movable Feasts, together with the Days
of Fasting and Abstinence throughout
the Year.
7. Rules of the Precedence of Holy-days.
8. Tables for finding the Holy-days.
9. The Order for Daily Morning Prayer.
10. The Order for Daily Evening Prayer.
11. Prayers and Thanksgivings.
12. The Litany.
13. The Psalter, or Psalms of David.
14. The Divine Liturgy, being the Order for
the Celebration of the Lord's Supper or
Holy Eucharist, commonly called The
Holy Communion.
15. The Collects, Epistles, and Gospels to be
used throughout the Year.
1 6 . The Ministration of Public Baptism of In-
fants, to be used in the Church.
17. The Ministration of Private Baptism of
Infants in Houses.
18. The Ministration of Baptism to such as
are of Riper Years.
19. A Catechism.
20. The Order of Confirmation.
2 1 . The Form of Solemnization of Matrimony .
22. The Churching of Women.
23. The Order for the Visitation of the Sick.
C IS ]
24. The Communion of the Sick.
25. The Order for the Burial of the Dead.
26. The Order for the Burial of a Child.
27. A Penitential Office for Ash- Wednesday.
28. The Form and Manner of Making, Or-
daining, and Consecrating Bishops,
Priests, and Deacons.
29. The Form of Consecration of a Church or
Chapel.
30. An Office of Institution of Ministers into
Parishes or Churches.
31. A Form of Setting Apart of Deaconesses.
Articles of Religion.
Forms of Prayer to be used in Families, with
Additional Prayers,
I 14]
RESOLUTION II
Morning Prayer
RESOLVED: The House of Bishops ( the
. House of Deputies ) concurring : That
the following changes be made in the Order
for Daily Morning Prayer, and that the pro-
posed alterations be made known to the sev-
eral Dioceses in order that they may be sever-
ally adopted in the next General Convention
in accordance with the provisions of Article X
of the Constitution.
(1) In the first rubric on page 1, omit the word
always. ' '
(2) In the second rubric on page 1, omit the first six
words, so that it shall read, ^' He may oinit^^''
etc.
(3) Add at end of the third rubric on page 1, these
words : ' ' The same order may be followed on all
week dayssaveon Days of Fasting or Abstinence. ' '
(4) Substitute in place of the Sentences at present in
the Prayer Book, printing together in one section
without breaks, but indicating in the margin
those appropriate for certain seasons or days,
the foUow^ing Sentences, namely :
C 15 D
THE Lord is in his holy temple : let all the
earth keep silence before him. Hab. ii. 20.
I was glad when they said unto me, We will
go into the house of the Lord. Psalm cxxii. 1.
O send out thy light and thy truth, that they
may lead me : and bring me unto thy holy hill,
and to thy dwelling. Psalm xliii. 3.
Thus saith the high and lofty One that in-
habiteth eternity, whose name is Holy : I dwell
in the high and holy place, with him also that
is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the
spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of
the contrite ones. Isaiah Ivii. 15.
The hour cometh, and now is, when the true
worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit
and in truth : for the Father seeketh such to
worship him. St, John iv. 23.
Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our
Father and from the Lord Jesu s Christ . Phil, i . 2 .
Q. Repent ye ; for the Kingdom of hea-
ven is at hand. St. Matt. iii. 2.
Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make
straight in the desert a highway for our God.
Isaiah xl. 3.
Behold,! bringyou good tidings of great joy,
.« . , which shall be to all people. For unto
Christmas . ^ / ^ .
you is born this day in the city of Da-
vid a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. St.
Luke \\. 10, l\.
„ . , From the risina: of the sun even
Epiphany . . -> r ^
unto the gomg down oi the same my
Name shall be great among the Gentiles ; and
in every place incense shall be offered unto my
Name, and a pure offering : for my Name shall
be great among the heathen, saith the Lord of
hosts. Mai. i. 11.
Awake, awake ; put on thy strength, O Zion ;
put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem.
Isaiah Hi. 1.
Rend your heart, and not your garments, and
turn unto the Lord your God : for he is j
gracious and merciful, slow to anger,
and of great kindness, and repenteth him of
the evil. Joel ii. 13.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit : a
broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt
not despise. Psalm H. 17.
I will arise and go to my father, and will say
unto him. Father, I have sinned against hea-
ven, and before thee, and am no more worthy
to be called thy son. St. Luke xv. 18, 19.
Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by? be-
hold, and see if there be any sorrow ^ â– , r^ . ,
' 1 . 1 . Good rnday
like unto my sorrow which is done
unto me, wherewith the Lord hath afflicted me.
Lam, i. 12.
In whom we have redemption through his
blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the
riches of his grace. Eph. i. 7.
He is risen . The Lord is risen indeed . „
St. Mark xvi. 6; St. Luke xxiv. 34.
This is the day which the Lord hath made ;
n 17 n
we will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm cxviii.
24.
Seeing that we have a great High Priest,
that is passed into the heavens, Jesus
the Son of God, let us come boldly
unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain
mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Heh, iv. 14, 16.
Ye shall receive power, after that the Holy
ixTv-^ J Ghost is come upon you: and ye
W hutsufixcicuu i. J J
shall be witnesses unto me both in
Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria,
and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
Acts\, 8.
Because ye are sons, God hath sent forth
the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying,
Abba, Father. GaL iv. 6.
Trinity ^''^>'' ^"""^^ ' ^""^^ ' ^""^^ ^""^ ^^"
Sunday ^^^^^7' which was, and is, and is to
come. Rev, iv. 8.
Honour the Lord with thy substance, and
with the first-fruits of all thine in-
Thanks- ^^^^^^ . gQ gj^^ii ^i^y h2ixxi^ be filled with
-Q plenty , and thy presses shall burst out
with new wine. Prov, iii. 9, 10.
The Lord by wisdom hath founded the
earth ; by understanding hath he established
the heavens. By his knowledge the depths are
broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew.
Prov, iii. 19, 20.
C 18 3
(5) Amend the rubric before the Absolution^ page 4,
so as to read as follows :
^ To be made by the Priest alone^ standing; the
People still kneeling. The Priest^ at his discre-
tion^ may use^ instead of what follows^ the Abso-
lution from the Order for the Holy Communion.
(6) In the Absolution on page 5, begin a new para-
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