1-Richard Frederick Littledale: The Priest's Prayer Book

Part One

Richard Frederick Littledale. The Priest’s Prayer Book with a Brief Pontifical, 5th Ed. (London: J. Masters and Co., 1876). A later edition, 1897, would be issued. Edward Pusey is involved with this book in its history.

This volume is free and downloadable at:

http://books.google.com/books?id=QFoXAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA360&dq=richard+frederick+littledale+priest%27s&lr=&as_brr=1&ei=j5xsSrDzNZbWyAT3m9SBAg

We believe that Richard Frederick Littledale is an Anglo-Catholic, although he wrote a powerful polemic against Rome with Plain Reasons against Joining the Church of Rome. The latter was a strong volume, but appears—as previously reviewed—to be have been an effort to stanch and shore up secessions from the Church of England to Rome.

Two strikes—already—with two terms, “Priest” and the word “Pontifical.” This scribe growingly dislikes the term “priest” in the Book of Common Prayer. One tires of the bromide, “Priest is an English contraction for Presbyter.” Sufficient opportunity has existed to reform the books.

Cranmer saw the wisdom of expunging “Priest” as a term from the 1552 BCP, but it slipped back in during the Elizabethan settlement. The Reformed Episcopal Church inserted “minister” in its 1873 BCP. The REC Bishops have retreated in favour of being accepted by others. All prayer books should be reformed on this point. Get rid of the term “priest.”

This volume by Littledale is designed as a set of notes on the Book of Common Prayer. Given that this was written in 1871, we will assume that Littledale worked with the 1662 Book of Common Prayer.

The volume is to provide parochial clergy as an “appendix” to the BCP. Appendix it is. It is material beyond the prayer book.

The first section of the book discusses “Private Offices.” These are for use by clerics.

The Prime consists of an Invocation, Lord’s Prayer, versicles, hymn (an excellent one), 1 Jn. 1.8, versicles, Confession (different than the 1662 Book), followed by the Third Collect for Matins.

The Terce. Similar pattern, but different verses, prayers, etc. Excellent hymns and Scriptures.

Sext,. None, and Compline follow with similar patterns .

It appears that Littledale is doing two things at Compline: reading Scripture and repeating the “Hail Mary” as an invocation. Upon first glance, it appears simply as a Scriptural responsorial. Even if just a reading of the Scripture, as a responsorial, is it pastorally injudicious; it sounds Romanist from the outset. Preliminarily, however, we believe Littledale is using it an invocation of Mary. It's repetition as a response, more than a Scriptural response, is strongly suggested. Here’s the section from Compline.

“The Angel of the Lord announced to Mary: Response: And she conceived of the Holy Ghost.
“Hail, Mary, full of grace, the LORD is with thee, blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Response: Hail Mary, full of grace, the LORD is with thee, blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Mary.

“Behold the handmaid of the LORD: Be it unto thy handmaid according to thy word. Response: Hail Mary, full of grace, the LORD is with thee, blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

“The Word was made flesh. R: And dwelt among us. Response: Hail Mary full of grace, the LORD is with thee, blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.”[1]
This will be found nowhere in the Prayer Books. Littledale has penned this.

Beyond that, pages 23-25 contains an excellent and thorough set of questions about the personal life of the rector, entitled “Self Examination.” It consists of a set of very personal and excellent questions in pursuit of holy living.

Acceptably, The Westminster Confession of Faith, 23.5 says: “Men ought not to content themselves with a general repentance, but it is every man's duty to endeavor to repent of his particular sins, particularly.” Other statements could be duplicated from the Westminster standards on this, but of note, he or she must repent of particular sins, particularly, that is, beyond a General Confession.

“O LORD, Thou knowest all my sins, and my faults are not hid from Thee. Give me ever true penitence and faith, that with a holy disposition of mind, I may make my confession and obtain pardon of Thee, the just and merciful God, through the atoning blood of Thy Son, JESUS CHRIST. Amen.”[2]

“O Eternal Father, Just and Righteous Judge, Who art of purer eyes than to behold inqiuity; in deep contrition I offer unto Thee with fullest confidence the precious Blook of Thy dear Son as the perfect atonement for all my numberless offences. I beseech Thee that Thou wouldst apply It both now and ever to my faint heart, that It may give me deep contrition, may purify me yet more nd more from my iniquities, and cleanse me from all my sins, through the same Thy SON JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD. Amen.”[3]

We will, DV, continue our review. Our attenae are up on Littledale.

Part One ends.

[1] Richard Frederick Littledale. The Priest’s Prayer Book with a Brief Pontifical, 5th Ed. (London: J. Masters and Co., 1876), 22.
[2] Littledale, op.cit., 25.
[3] Littledale, op.cit., 25.