The first edition of this book was published in 1946 by brethren of a monastic order, the Society of St. John the Evangelist. This practical guide was intended to be used with the 1918 version of the Canadian BCP and was mostly concerned with the celebration of the Eucharist. This edition will be of interest to scholars who want to know how the 1918 book was actually used by many priests in Canadian parishes. Of particular interest are the directions as to how to do a "North End" celebration of the Eucharist. Many Low Churchmen at the time felt that celebrating the Holy Communion facing east at the altar was too "Romish" or "Papist" so they conducted the service at one side of the altar instead. While this method of doing the Eucharist has now disappeared from the Canadian Church, it will be of interest to those researching the history of liturgical practice.

This second edition of Readiness and Decency was written in 1961 by the same S.S.J.E. brethren who wrote the first edition, and was intended for use with the then new and experimental 1959 edition of the Canadian BCP. It was much expanded so as to have directions as to how to celebrate the Daily Offices and the Pastoral Offices. This practical manual has a wealth of historical background and pastoral guidance in the observances of the rites of the Book of Common Prayer. There are directions for an elaborate celebration of the Holy Eucharist with many sacred ministers, or a plain celebration of the Holy Communion with one assistant. The authors are quite aware of the fact that any worship service needs to be adapted to the variables of local context: the architecture of the building, the size of the sanctuary, the depth of the chancel, the acoustics of the space, and many others. All of this is to say that Readiness and Decency is still a useful guide for any cleric, seminarian, or other worship leader when planning the worthy celebration of the services and sacraments of the Church.