REFORMED (DUTCH) CHURCH IN AMERICA 257 Reformed Dutch church." It has only a few congregations. The doctrinal standards of the church are: 1, the Belgic confession of faith ; 2, the Heidelberg catechism ; 3, the canons of the synod of Dort. The Belgic confession of faith was published in 1561, and adopted as a standard by the synod of Wesel in 1568. This was the basis of the organiza- tion of the Reformed church in the Nether- lands, and in its 37 articles presents a com- plete systematic view of the doctrines of the reformation. The Heidelberg catechism was received about the same time. It had been composed by order of the elector Frederick III. for the Palatinate, by Ursinus, a professor in the university of Heidelberg, and Olevianus, a court preacher. It was intended by the elec- tor to be a harmonizing symbol of faith, to be received by both the Lutherans and Reformed in his dominions. The church in the Nether- lands heartily adopted it, divided it into 62 Lord's days, and ordered that it should not only be taught to the youth, but expounded once in the course of every year from the pul- pit. The canons were adopted by the synod of Dort in 1619, and framed with special ref- erence to the five points of the Arminians which were condemned by that synod. In the church of the Netherlands, forms of prayer were at first used in ordinary public worship in connection with extemporaneous prayers. Such forms are now found in the liturgy of the Reformed church in America, but their use, though allowed, is not enjoined. Practically they are regarded as directories for the per- formance of that part of the service.' There are other portions of the liturgy the use of which is made obligatory by th'e constitution, viz., forms for the administration of the sacra- ments, for the ordination and installation of ministers, elders, and deacons, and for the ex- communication and readmission of members. This liturgy in its essential parts was composed for the church in London in 1551 by Jan Laski or John & Lasco, who used the labors of Cal- vin, Polanus, and others. This church in Lon- don was composed of Protestant refugees from Germany and the Netherlands, who in Britain under the reign of Edward VI. found an asy- lum from persecution. Driven back to the continent on the accession of Mary, they car- ried their liturgy with them. It was rear- ranged by Dathenua and adopted substantially by the synod of Wesel in 1568. It was after- ward revised and confirmed by the synod of Dort. The English translation now in use in this country was first published by the con- sistory of the collegiate church of New York in 1767. In 1853 a movement ivas made for the revision and amendment of the liturgy. This subject was under consideration till 1858, when it was decided that no alterations should be made. The synod of 1874 adopted a re- vised liturgy, the use of which is optional. The prescribed order of public worship in the morning is as follows: 1, after a space for private devotion, invocation ; 2, salutation ; 3, reading the ten commandments or some other portion of Scripture, or both; 4, singing; 5, prayer; 6, singing; 7, sermon; 8, prayer; 9, collection of alms; 10, singing; 11, benedic- tion. In the other services the reading of the commandments is omitted, and the last service is always to be concluded with the doxology. Formerly the apostles' creed was recited, and a clerk (voorlezer), who was also chorister, conducted the opening services from his desk below the pulpit by reading the command- ments and a chapter, and announcing and lead- ing in the singing of a psalm. The minister had an hour glass standing on the pulpit, to measure the time to be occupied by the ser- mon, which was recommended not to exceed an hour. On some part of every Sabbath a portion of the Heidelberg catechism was ex- pounded. Children were almost universally baptized, and provision was made for their instruction in Christian doctrine by parents, church officers, and schoolmasters. The school was an appendage of the church, taught by a schoolmaster appointed by the consistory, and was constantly visited by the minister and elders. The school came with the church into this country, but the continued connection be- came in time impracticable. Interest has lately been reawakened in this subject, and parochial schools have been established in some congre- gations. In public worship only such psalms and hymns are sung as have been recom- mended by the general synod. Singing in the English language was introduced in 1767. In 1813 the Rev. Dr. Livingston, by order of the general synod, compiled the "Book of Psalms and Hymns " now in use, to which large addi- tions of hymns have been made. Another book called " Hymns of the Church," with tunes, was authorized in 1869, and is in use in many of the churches. The observance of the principal feast days, as Christmas, Easter, As- cension, and Whitsuntide, was denounced by the early synods in the Netherlands ; but as it was found that the people would otherwise de- vote them to their pleasures, it was afterward ordained that public worship should be con- ducted on them. In accordance with this they were for a long time carefully observed by the church in America, nor has respect for them ceased in some of the congregations to this day. The government of the church is accord- ing to the Genevan presbyterian model. The officers are ministers, elders, and deacons, to whom may be added professors of theology. The elders have in connection with the min- isters the spiritual oversight of the church. They receive, watch over, dismiss, and disci- pline members. The board of elders corre- sponds to the session in the Presbyterian church. The deacons collect and administer alms. The minister, elders, and deacons, or the elders and deacons if there be no minis- ter, compose the consistory, to which the gov- ernment of the individual church belongs.
