70 of 75 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A strong tradition..., May 29, 2004
This review is from: The 1928 Book of Common Prayer (Hardcover)
For many Episcopalians (the American version of official Anglicans), the 1928 version of the Book of Common Prayer is still the most prized worship and liturgical form around. When the 'new' Book of Common Prayer was adopted in 1979 (merely the latest in a lengthening line of Prayer Book revision done by the church in America in the past three hundred years), whole parishes balked (and walked) because of the changes; faithful within the church looked for various means of preserving their beloved version of the BCP - my own church had a '1928 Service' every Wednesday afternoon.
The book is not arranged in as user-friendly a manner as the more recent revision (which itself leaves something to be desired in various ways), but it isn't the ordering that causes such devotion to this text. Despite the fact that much of the 'Shakespearean' language of this liturgy is retained in the Rite I form in the newer BCP, there are key differences that make this book the standard bearer to many conservative and traditional Episcopalians.
Like any BCP version, it has the principle services of the church - Communion, Morning Prayer, Evening Prayer, Marriage rite, Funeral rite, the Psalter, the Calendar. It also has rites not included in updates - the churching of women, for example; neither will one find inclusive language in the orders of ordination here, for women were not admitted to the three-fold ordained ranks of bishop, priest and deacon while this book was primary. It also contains the collects, epistles and gospel readings for Sundays and major feast days, omitted as well from the later BCP.
The catechism is vastly changed from this to the 1979 revision - it is worth comparing the two to see how changes have taken place. Similarly, the Articles of Religion which conclude the 1928 BCP are placed under the ambiguous heading of 'Historical Documents' in the later BCP.
Not having been raised on either the 1928 or 1979 Book of Common Prayer, I feel somewhat objective about seeing the merits and shortcomings of each version; however, some who see value or shortcomings in either one are reflecting a more general feeling about the church in general - rare is the person who opposes women's ordination who supports the 1979 BCP over the 1928. I have both, side by side on my shelf, together with the Australian Prayer Book, the New Zealand Prayer book, the 1662 Book of Common Prayer, and the 1559 Book of Common Prayer, which shows a grand tradition of diversity and continuity in the Anglican liturgy. The 1928 Book of Common Prayer has a significant place as a strong link between past and present, and is a must-have for students of, and those who generally love, the liturgy.
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49 of 52 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Nice Edition of the 1928 BCP, May 10, 2001
This review is from: The 1928 Book of Common Prayer (Hardcover)
This is a nice edition of the 1928 Book of Common Prayer. I decided to buy this copy when I realized that the personal edition with imitation leather cover that I bought many years ago really was not suitable for study purposes. (I prefer hardcover books.) This is a "pew edition". The size of the book is good for general reading, and the binding seems sturdy. The burgundy cloth cover gives the book a rich appearance. However, in place of the usual certification, there is only a disclaimer stating that this edition was photoreproduced from a certified book; hence the type is not very crisp, and the pages have a "photocopied" look to them. But that's okay. I really like this book.
Please note that this edition does not come with the gift box illustrated with the catalog entry. The cover has a gold Latin Cross, and the title is on the spine.
Please note, I am not an Episcopalian, only a student of liturgy.
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65 of 71 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
This is the 1928 edition, September 19, 2000
This review is from: The 1928 Book of Common Prayer (Hardcover)
For all who are interested, this is a copy of the 1928 Episcopal prayer book. While I don't want to become a part of the prayer book debate here, many prefer it to the 1979 edition. The 1928 edition's language is more traditional. The attitude is more penitential, and I believe some church holidays are given more pages (though the list of holidays only has the major feasts).
This copy is a nice, burgundy, hardcover edition of the 1928 edition by Oxford University Press. There are presentation, confirmation, and baptism pages in the front of the Bible, and 2 string bookmarks. The text is genuine 1928 edition Book of Common Prayer. I have checked, and this is probably the most affordable 1928 edition on the market today.
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