Princeton and the Work of the Christian Ministry, A Collection of Addresses and Articles by Faculty and Friends of Princeton Theological Seminary, selected and introduced by James M Garretson, published by the Banner of Truth Trust, hardback, 746 and 602 pages, £34.00, obtainable from the Free Presbyterian Bookroom.
Princeton and the Work of the Christian Ministry is a two-volume set consisting of addresses and articles by some of the most luminous names in the great galaxy of American Presbyterians who were connected with, or supported, the work of Princeton Theological Seminary. These excellent articles were selected and are introduced by James M Garretson and form a companion set to his earlier volume, Princeton and Preaching, also published by the Banner of Truth Trust. The articles date from the time of the Seminary’s founding in 1812 down to the early decades of the twentieth century, before Princeton moved away from its historic confessional orthodoxy.
The very names of Archibald Alexander, Samuel Miller, J W Alexander, the Hodges and B B Warfield, among other contributors, are alone sufficient to indicate the quality of the material collected here. There is a considerable amount of reading in these two volumes, but every piece is connected in some way or other with the work of the ministry. Whether with regard to what constitutes a true call to the work, or the Princetonian approach to training divinity students, or the more practical aspects of pastoral duty, the articles abound in highly edifying, stimulating and humbling material. Princeton was established to be a “nursery of vital piety as well as of sound theological learning”, and the emphasis on personal godliness that appears in these pages is salutary.
This work would make for an excellent refresher in practical theology for pastors, would be highly beneficial for divinity students or those whose minds are being drawn to the holy work of the ministry and would be of interest to
all who prayerfully seek the welfare of the Church of Christ through the blessing of God upon the ministry of the gospel. These articles consistently present such a high and sanctified view of the work of the ministry and the preparation needed for it that one cannot but deprecate the general state of things in our own day.
(Rev) A W MacColl
Praise is Comely, A Guide for Congregational Psalm-Singing, published by the Kirk Session of the Inverness Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland, paperback, 22 pages, £2.00 from the Free Presbyterian Bookroom.
This little book was written with a view to “improving congregational praise”, not only in the hope of increased tunefulness, but also in the hope that people would be conscious of the need to sing “with the understanding also”. In five brief chapters, the book progresses stage by stage from, “We are all commanded to praise God”, to, “We are all commanded to praise God in singing together to edification and comeliness”.
Singing to God’s praise is an important part of public worship and it is good to have the advice contained in this book. Strong encouragement is given here to those who feel that they cannot sing, in the hope that they will attempt to do so. But restraint is necessary; otherwise the attempt to sing may put others off the tune. Yet some whose voices were not particularly tuneful have joined in the praise of God by, wisely, singing quietly and thereby have no doubt been blessed themselves.
The last paragraph of the book begins with the observation that “praise is the continual exercise of those in heaven”. This is followed by a quotation from John Willison: “I know nothing in the world that more resembles heaven than a company of God’s people harmoniously singing His praises”. May this book contribute to congregations praising in a way that is pleasing to the human ear and, more importantly, to the ear of God! And for this a heart attuned to the holiness of heaven is necessary.