Customer Reviews

The 1928 Book of Common Prayer

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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 Similarly, the Articles of Religion which conclude the 1928 BCP are placed under the ambiguous heading of 'Historical Documents' in the later BCP.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.

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.

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.

Am proud to be a part of the tradition that this beautiful volume stands for. It is the BCP of our Parish & I've read it through via reference literally hundreds of times. We use it together with other texts as the basis of our Christian lives, significantly it goes hand-in-hand with the Holy Bible for us.

It guides us through all seasons of our life. It was there with us at Christenings & Communions, Confirmations & Weddings, Holy Days & Saints Days, Feasts & Fasts, through the past two generations & I for one will not abide it being abandoned in favour of new age nonsensical revisionism.

Many Parishes tried other Books of Common Prayer but found them too base. Find this one most appropriate because; without being too pushy or stuffy it preserves to an adequate extent the hallowed language of a bygone era when God's Holy Worship was revered and set aside. It still is by many of we Anglicans. The BCP is useful to all Christians interested in expanding their devotional life & understanding of the Holy Scripture & Church.

Term; "Common" in title refers to union of execution, unity of command, communalism, organization a mindset around which the business of a healthful parish is carried out in the world for God's Glory. It does not mean common as in profane, as the reader will see its liturgies are anything but.

Have carried my copy with me in war & peactime & used it in study & reflection, in the times I need most to find myself & re-connect with my maker I find it invaluable.

This book will certainly enrich your life. Makes a holy & glorious addition to any collection.

It's wonderful that the 1928 Book of Common Prayer is back in print and available - hopefully to stay. It's remarkable that a book that is so widely loved and used has had a recent history of not being in print or readily available.

The 1928 Prayer Book is the American version of the Book of Common Prayer, descended from the first Prayer Book composed by Archbishop Thomas Cranmer in 1549. It is very close to the most classic form of the Prayer Book, the 1662 Prayer Book, which is still the official book for the Church of England and much of the Anglican Communion, as well as the theological standard for the new province, the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA). The 1928 Prayer Book is used by the continuing Anglican churches, the Reformed Episcopal Church, and many churches in the ACNA.

Not only is it good to see this Prayer Book back in print but to see it in a reasonably priced hardcover edition. So many churches and individuals I know who want a 1928 Prayer Book have had to resort to using beat up old versions that are in disrepair.

To traditional Anglicans, this reprinting of the Prayer Book is a Godsend. But what most people don't know is that the Book of Common Prayer is a profound and beautiful resource for the prayer and devotional life of any Christian. The Prayer Book expresses an orthodox and comprehensive theology and spirituality for all of life, and it helps the individual Christian order his life around prayer, the Bible, and the Church.

So many Christians I meet are floundering in their devotional life with the Lord or find that their prayer life is dull and dry. Using the Prayer Book has given a structure and words to the hearts of many Christians. There are Morning and Evening Prayer services that can be adapted for personal use, and the daily lectionary (system for reading Scripture on a daily basis) guides the Christian in knowing what to read each day. By following the Church year in the Prayer Book, all of time can be sanctified and lived in a more prayerful way.

There are also some short forms of Family Prayer if a family wants to use the prayers and keep things simple. In my home we use the Prayer Book each evening after meal to have a short Evening Prayer service, something that fewer and fewer families are doing. If you're Christian parents wanting to have a family devotional time, why not look into the Prayer Book?

There are also many wonderful, historic prayers for all occasions and situations. What intrigues me is how traditional weddings all use the words from the Book of Common Prayer "Order for Holy Matrimony" because of the beauty, depth, and godliness of the words. At funerals, too, the service from the Prayer Book is often used in part, for the same reasons.

Essentially, the Prayer Book is a comprehensive guide to the Christian life, especially if used with the Bible and in the life of the larger church.

While the Oxford edition of the 1928 Book of Common Prayer will be most welcome to Anglicans, many other Christians would benefit from picking up a copy, regardless of their church tradition.

Thank you, Oxford University Press!

The 1928 Book of Common Prayer is a treasure that helps maintain my spiritual life. The book reminds me to take time in the morning and evening and talk to God. Although this book is a treasure for Anglicans and Episcopalians, anyone who would like guidance in prayer and Christian celebration throughout the year will want this book to be their constant companion.

The book is bound very well and the type is easy to read. It's a bit large to tote around but perfect for reading in a relaxed, cozy home environment.

Mark P.

This is a pretty fair/good print of the 1928 Prayer book. This edition is printed by Oxford University Press. Mind you, this is not the same prayer book whose image you see on the Amazon web site; the navy blue one with "1928" in large characters; what you get is the one you see when you respond to the "Look inside" prompt; a reddish brown hardback with a fine gold cross on the front.

The print quality of the characters is good but not super super sharp, as it looks as if it has been printed from scanned page images. However at the 5 1/4" by 7 3/4" size, the print is sufficiently large to be easily readable. Inside it says that it has been photographically reproduced.

The pages are somewhat thinner than a standard prayer book, but certainly a long way from being tissue paper thin, like you get with some missals. The book is about 1" thick while my 1928 prayer book that I have printed by the Anglican Parishes Association is about 1 5/8" thick.

The book comes with a couple of tassels to mark pages. I have gotten so used to using pieces of post-it note that I wouldn't miss them if they weren't there.

Overall, I recommend this book.

Dave Bardon

The books were received in excellent condition and were shipped quickly. The price was reasonable. Since these have been hard to find in the past it was great that they are available through Amazon. I ordered 25 previously and was very pleased. Rev. Robert Baker

Purchasing this was recovering a valuable chapter of my life that ended when the Episcopal church, within a few years in the '70s-'80s, forswore their beautiful, traditional prayer book, hymnal, and calendar.

The language of this prayer book inspires deep meditation. We used it twice a day as our in-home church services and it has deepened and enriched our lives.