RITUALISM AND THE UNION OF THE CHURCHES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXI, Issue 15333, 16 June 1910, Page 8

RITUALISM AND THE UNION OF THE CHURCHES.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —Anglican churchmen in Canterbury are doubtless somewhat perturbed concerning an item of news freon Auckland, which, states that a protesting meeting has been held thore In connection with tho coming church The report of the procoedS dates that this was actually an lation meeting of certain Church ers, who objected to the ritualistic, High Church, tendencies of some (members of tho mission. It is indeed unfortunate if such is the case, for the average male churchgoer has lor such practices, if not abhorrence, certainly strong disapproval. Even in Canterbury many look upon High Church ritualism as a pernicious exotio at the best, while others view' it ns an attempt to apply the upholsterer’s art to religion. The strenuous fight over i’» tendency to High Church ritualism Which took place in Kaiapoi some years back is not forgotten, when tho lato Right Rev Bishop Harper was called upon to exert his authority, and thus restore to tho church at Kaiapoi the ■implor service acceptable to tho congregation there. At times we hear a great deal about a possible union of the Protestant Churches, but how unlikely is this to take place if ritualistic tendencies are tolerated. Just irnRt»ino the attitude of the Presbyterian ckurch in regard to this matter. Yet this Church is perhaps nearest to tho !Anglican in some essentials. ft is •’nuito evident that any increase or ;ritualism in. th'c'Anglican Church would tend to drive the other Protestant Churches still further Dom bor-M am, jtc. wYCLIrrE.