"THE CRISIS IN THE CHURCH."

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 161, 10 July 1899, Page 2

"THE CRISIS IN THE CHURCH."

Mr Robert ]KJrk has issued a pamphlet on the Ritualiitio controversy, under the title "The Crisis in the Church, or the Churoh of Christ versus Kitualistio Sacerdotalism," The preface sets forth the puipose of the author in the following terms: —

"The accompanying brochure is an attempt to represent the layman's position with regard to the clerical movement known as Eitualism or High Churchism. It is very commonly asserted that Ritualism is merely a matter of taste with regard to the habit and demeanour of the clergy, more or less of music, and more or less of ceremonies in public worship; and the promoters of the movement willingly lend themselves to this view when it is in their Interest to do so. The writer seeks to press upon his fellow Churchmen that Bitualism is much more than this. That the bishops and clergy as a body are engaged upon a subtle and persistent effort to revert to the pre-Reforma-tion idea of a mediatorial sacerdotal class, and that Ritualism is the means used by them to accustom and train the lay mind to this idea, and to teach doctrines repugnant to Scripture and reason, but needful for the enforcement .of the claim .to such special powers and privileges as they would insist upon, The writer does not hesitate to charge the bishops and clergy of the Church with this intention. The bishops and clergy have resorted to the task of asserting the possession of inherent and semi-divine rights as successor* to the apostles, to the exclusion of the possession of spiritual gift* outside their own body. Hence the attempt to introduce sacramentarianism and to inculcate a necessity for the mediation of a priesthood. The futility of this attempt to secure the usurpation of exclusive spiritual powers will be proved by the laity asserting and securing' their own rights in a ebureb, which, belongs, to them and not to the clergy, and in (support of whien the writer prays that the pteeent effort m&y be blessed."

Mr &irfc. in. hie jntroduotory remarks, says:—

"In approaching this question do not let us forget that we are not fighting against men but against the introduction of a system which is little better than the semi-paganism of the Middle Ages, and really a retrograde movement in days, of boasted progress: The authority by which this question must be examined and tested is HQly Scripture, as no other authority, whether of church.es, fathers or tradition is of any avail, for the reason that it is the Word of God, and nothing can, supensede. or equal that, hence we must not, we dare not, put any authority as above or equal with the New Testament. Article 6,—Of the sufficiency of- Holy Scripture for salvation. —'Holy Scripture eontainetb all things necessary for salvation; so that whatsoever is not read therein, nor may be proved thereby, in not to be required of any . man, that it should be believed ass an article of Faith, or be thought requisite or necessary to salvation.' lam writing as » layman to laymen. The standpoint taken is the English Bible, authorised and revised. I say this on account of the fact that Ritualists at' tribute meaning's to words and passages, which, taken with the context, our English Bible will not bear and does not countenance. It is a lamentable and unfortunate fact that the majority of the laity are not students of their Bible or Prayer Book or the English Church to-day would not be going- through another effort to free itself from symbolised idolatry and superstition, which are being introduced by a section of the clergy. We must not forffftt that the Revised Version of the Bible was undertaken by the most eminent scholars—many

of them High Ohurchmen~«»o:mitt4ted by the Convocation of Canterbury, who were at liberty to invite the 00' operation of the leading scholars of the world. If, then, any colour for sacerdotalism could or might have been admitted then was the time to do so. I challenge the Ritualists to justify themselves from the Bible and say, 'Hold fast tp our English Bible, studying it so that we may be able |to discern the truth, and give reason i for the truth that is in us? It is fce- | cause this man-made doctrine _of sacerdotalism is treason against ! Christ, His Church, and humanity, J that it ie qmv bonndeu duty to combat it at every turn and by every means in our power. 'He who witnesses a fin and lifts not up his voice against it I beearaeß partaker in the responsibility for t.he evil.' "'