March 23, 2008 Historic Moment

Did you know... In the Order for Public Worship of the Liturgy of the Dutch Reformed Church of the 18th century that the first part of the service was led by a "Voorsanger." He (never she) was a presentor who served a role halfway between that of a chorister and a liturgist. He conducted the first part of the service and often assisted the "dominie" in the second half. He also led all of the singing because there were no musical instruments at all. The dominie entered the service during the singing of the Psalm and would shake hands with the Consistory. The Consistory was always seated in the front of the church, apart from the congregation.