ANDOVER-HARVARD NOV 8 1916 ANDOVER THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY A 67,021 COPYRIGHT, 1916, BY THE TRUSTEES OF PREFACE THE preparation of a manual of Family Worship was committed by the General Assembly to The Presbyterian Board of Publication and Sabbath School Work: and this book has been compiled by a committee of the Board, consisting of: REV. LOUIS F. BENSON, D.D., Chairman, REV. HAROLD MCA. ROBINSON. The selection of Daily Psalms is by Dr. Benson; that of Daily Lessons, by Dr. John T. Faris. The Daily Prayers for the first week are by Dr. Benson; those for the second week are by Dr. Herrick; those for the third week are by Mr. Lukens; those for the fourth week are by Mr. Robinson; those for the fifth week are selected from The Book of Common Worship. Of the Prayers for Certain Times and Seasons, those for Washington's Birthday, The Fourth of July, Labor Day, Christmas Eve, and The Last Day of the Year, are by Dr. Benson; the others are taken from The Book of Common Worship. Of the Prayers for Certain Occasions of Family Life, those After the Birth of a Child, On The Day of a Child's Baptism, On a Birthday, At the Opening of School, On Entering a New Home, Before Going to the Lord's Table, After the Death of a Child, After the Death of a Parent, are by Dr. Benson: the others are from The Book of Common Worship. The Intercessions for Special Objects and Occasions and the Forms of Grace Before Meat are taken from The Book of Common Worship. Family Prayer may begin fitly with a brief devotional reading from the Psalms, followed by a Lesson from Scripture [see pages 7-20]. If any special member of the family is appointed to read the Psalm or Lesson, let that one be ready with the place in the Bible found. Then, after the Lesson, all kneeling, let the Prayers follow [see pages 24-93]. Each prayer is divided into three paragraphs: [(1) Introductory; (2) Supplications; (3) Intercessions)] in order that a prayer for any special occasion [see pages 94-111] may be substituted for some one paragraph without prolonging the prayers. The Daily Prayers may be used consecutively during a period of five weeks, without regard to the day of the month. It will perhaps be more satisfactory to adapt them to the calendar month: beginning each month afresh with the prayers for that day of the First Week on which the first of the month falls, and ending it with the prayers for that day of the Fourth or Fifth Week on which the month ends. Only, if the first of the month happens to be a Friday or Saturday, the month may run over into a sixth week. In such cases continue to use the Prayers for the last week of the preceding month on the Friday and Saturday, and begin using the First Week's Prayers on Sunday, the second or third of the month. Worship may fitly close with the Lord's Prayer, or one of the petitions on page 22. This Closing Prayer to be said aloud by the whole family. Where Family Prayer is held once a day there will be a choice between the Psalms and Lessons appointed for that day. And if anything in the prayer appointed for any morning or evening prove untimely, let some other morning or evening prayer be used in its place. PREFACE CONTENTS PAGE 3 |