THE SYMBOLISM OF THE MASS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1008, 24 December 1910, Page 10

THE SYMBOLISM OF THE MASS.

. . RITUAL AND; MYSTICISM., At tho recent medting of the Liberal Christian League tho Rev. J. G. -*dderley (Anglican) read a paper on "Tho. Perpetual Sacrifice in,the Mass.". His. argument was that, tho Mass was the* way in which Catholics express themselves ..in,:, the .presence . of. Eternal God. He expounded its'symiiolism, l orifl 1 said that the Mass was a continual reenactment, in'tho individual of tlio process of sacrifice. He believed that tho Salvation Army captain, flourishing his [ red banner, was meaning much . tho samo thing after his .fashion as the priest at the altar. So also was the New Theology professor in 'clearing away fictions and prejudices, and bringing men back to God.. Wherever man is dissatisfied with, selfish life, and in quest of love through self-sacrifice ho is seeking union with God'in-Christ. In defending ritual lie claimed that Anglicanism understands'the idea, of-worship better than Nonconformity,' just as in preaching power Anglicanism was lamentably - inferior to Nonconformity." At the closo of Mr. Adderlcy's j]aper : Mr. Campbell said they:had beeii listening to an address from, a Ritualist. 'Anglo-Catholic priest,-' and they had agreed with practically every word of. it, and yet the, subject was tho symbolism of tho Mass—a :word'hateful in advanced Protestant ■ ears, but not in theirs.' lie thought that the mystic note which Father Adderley desiderated was there in their Liberal Christian, movement, and that the perpetual sacrifice symbolised in tho Mass was the very marrow of their experience. "Temperamentally," continued Mr. Campbell, "there, is not much to choose between him (Father Adderley) and me. I would rather worship at Father. Adderley's altar than in an ordinary Nonconformist building, and, I am very much at : homo in the Catholic church, watching, yes, and partaking in, the ceremonial of .the Mass, becauso I do believe in the living value of that mystic truth there symbolised."—"Christian World."