The doctrinal articles of this church are similar to those of the church of England; but it is generally understood that many of its ministers have widely departed from the national faith, as well as those of the Episcopal establishment. The popular party are considered as more zealous for the doctrines of grace, and for the articles of their church in all their strictness; and a very pleasing specimen of their pulpit compositions, as well as of the doctrine taught by them, may be met with in an able work, in four volumes, entitled "The Scotch Preacher."
The worship of the Church is extremely simple, and but few ceremonies are retained. Knox laid aside the Book of Common Prayer, and introduced a composition of his own, resembling the Liturgy of Geneva; but there is now no form or liturgy of any kind in use. The minister's sole guide is "The Directory for the Worship of God," drawn up by the Westminster Assembly of Divines, in 1644; nor is it thought necessary to adhere strictly to that, as its injunctions are but little regarded.
In general the Lord's Supper is not administered oftener than once or twice a-year; its celebration is preceded by a fast, usually on Thursday, and by a sermon on the Saturday; and on the Monday morning it is followed by a public thanksgiving. They have no altars in the churches, and the communion-tables are not fixed, but introduced for the occasion, and are sometimes two or more in number, and of considerable length. At the first table, after the close of the consecration prayer, the minister usually proceeds to read the words of the institution, and immediately distributes the elements to the two
