RITUALISM.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9077, 11 June 1888, Page 3

RITUALISM.

, TO THE EDITOE. Sir,— Howick incident and the Correspondence thereon, to which you have considerately opened your columns, will, I doubt not, terminate beneficially to all concerned ; and, with " Churchman," I sin.

cerely hope it will have the effect of thoroughly rousing all true and loyal adherents of Episcopacy to a sense of. the duty they owe to themselves, their children, and fellowmen. That the most unsatisfactory relations exist between certain clergymen and the male heads of families supposed to attend certain churches, cannot be denied, although it is only perceptible to the outer world by their conspicuous absence from their pews on Sundays, . their admitted grounds for keeping aloof being the unnecessary and absolutely offensive innovations voluntarily introduced, without sanction, comment, or explanation of any kind! "Churchman" suggests our reading certain selected texts from the Old Testament as to forms and ceremonies. To this I answer, we are in the nineteenth century. I am sure it is unnecessary to remind "Churchman" that it is said, " The devil can quote Scripture to suit his own views." The reference to the Bible is only diverting the discussion from its original course, viz., the legality or illegality of the innovations complained of. Are they authorised by the Book of Common Prayer ? I contend that innovations and offences are contrary to the Old and New Testaments, as well as the Book of Common Prayer. Let us see : Exodus, xx., 4, effectually disposes of "Graven images, or any likeness of anything that is in Heaven' above, or in the earth beneath," &c. Romans, xvi., 17, Paul says : " Now, I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which you have learned, and avoid them !" The Book of Common Prayer says of ceremonies: "And although the keeping or omitting of a ceremony, in itself considered, is but a small thing, yet the wilful and contemptuous transgression and breaking of a common order and discipline is no small offence before God." Referring to the text from Romans it must, I think, appear manifest to the most ordinary intellect, that if a majority of Churchmen follow St. Paul's teaching in the letter and spirit, Ritualism would be for ever effectually stamped out of the Church of England, and instead of adopting the unchristian idea of starving out an erring clergyman, those clergymen would be clearly answerable for starving out themselves and their families, that such a catastrophe should befal any bishop, priest, or deacon of our own or any ! other Church ; all true-hearted Christians will say, God forbid. As to the Book of Common Prayer, some-: alterations have been made since it was first produced, more than 200 years ago, and it is not impossible that farther alterations will be considered advisable; but, in

the interests of our common religion, let us have national uniformity and concurrence, and forget our present irregularities and innovations by any or every individual who chooses to spring a new-fangled idea. No one, I think, can read the Book of Common Prayer carefully through without being forcibly struck with one clear idea as to the determination of its compilers to insure uniformity of worship , wherever the Church has "two or three" -met- -together for that purpose ; yet I am forcibly reminded that no two churches in Auckland adhere to the original formula, but that St. Matthew's and All Saints' adhere more closely than any of the others to their obligations as Church of England clergyman. I regret to say I consider such decision as Archdeacon Dudley is said to have delivered at Howick will but open wide and still wider the Ritualistic door at Howick and other places, which I consider now" only ajar. They manage affairs better in Sydney. At the last meeting of the Church Synod, the Chapter of the Cathedral decided to cut out the centre panel showing a crucifix, and a Mr. Stuart moved, " That alterations in the mode of Divine service should nob be

made, unless in obedience to the requirements of the Book of Common Prayer, and the rubrics thereof, or by express permission of the Bishop." I may say that the High Church proclivities of Dr. Barry, the metropolitan Bishop of Sydney, are well known, yet the lay members of the Synod have the courage of their opinions, and appear determined to enforce them constitutionally. Will our lay representatives "go and do likewise ?" or will they resign their offices and make room for those who will, before these proselytising ritualistic practices undermine the religious thoughts and convictions of our wives and sons and

daughters ; for be it well noted, that is our only vulnerable point, that is where Satan's emissaries attack us in the first instance. By to-day's Herald I find " Churchman " returns to the charge persistently. Permit me to say, in conclusion, to "Churchman," and all who endorse his views, that if it were possible for mo to hold such convictions, I should not hesitate to join the Church of Rome to-morrow, instead of disgracing the religion of my forefathers, and leading others astray whom I had sworn to protect from all " erroneous and strange doctrines contrary to God's word," and for whom the congregations in all lands pray every Sunday, "From all sedition, privy conspiracy, and rebellion, from all false doctrine, heresy and schismGood Lord deliver us."—l am, &c, June 9, 1888. Jehovahshalom.