The Historical Development of the Book of Church Order

Chapter 49 : The Ordering of Public Worship

Paragraph 3 :

49-3. Let the people upon entering the church take their seats in a decent and reverent manner, and engage in a silent prayer for a blessing upon themselves, the minister, and all present, as well as upon those who are unable to attend worship.

DIGEST:

BACKGROUND AND COMPARISON :
PCA 1973, Adopted text, DfW 2-2 [M1GA, Appendix, p. 155]
Continuing Presbyterian Church 1973, Proposed text,
and
PCUS 1933, DfW II, §308.
Let the people upon entering the church take their seats in a decent, grave and reverent manner, and engage in a silent prayer for a blessing upon themselves, the minister, and all present, as well as upon those who are detained from the House of God.

PCUS 1925, DfW II-1 [§309]
and
PCUS 1894, II-1
When the time appointed for public worship is come, let the people enter the church, and having taken their seats in a decent, grave, and reverent manner, engage in silent prayer for a blessing upon themselves, the minister, and all present, as well as upon others who are detained from the house of God.

PCUSA 1789, DfW, II-1
When the time appointed for public worship is come, let the people enter the church, and take their seats, in a decent, grave, and reverent manner.

PCUSA 1786, DfW, 2d draught
When the time appointed for public worship is come, let the people enter the Church, and take their seats, in a decent, grave, and reverent manner. And, after the Congregation is asssembled, the Minister shall begin the service with prayer, . . .