RITUALISM AT ST. MARY'S.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9090, 26 June 1888, Page 3

RITUALISM AT ST. MARY'S.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—l exceedingly regret to find that) my mild and very brief comments on the above subject in your issue of the 22nd instant, have been deemed worthy of the most bitter, and to me painfully unchristian animadversions by the rev. the incumbent, in his sermon yesterday at eleven o'clock service. While I must decline to imitate the very questionable example set his congregation in that twenty minutes' discourse, I cannot in justice to myself avoid describing it as very uncalled for ecclesiastical vituperation, devoid of all charity, proof, or point, except we accept the legal maxim, "No case, abuse the other side." To be called a "coward,"' because I choose to adopt a ?io))i de plume, is as absurd as it is proof of thoughtlessness. Do not half the world do likewise, on public subjects? To a communicant of 41 years, who has taken more than a passing interest in the establishment and support of our beloved Church in the colonies, and also, I am proud to say (publicly), endeavouring as far as I have been able to root out all heresy and schism and ritualistic innovations from our beautiful service, the outburst of unrighteous indignation of yesterday I must say was dreadfully disheartening. I thank God I have no personal enmity towards Mr. Walpole, and feel sure if he but knew what " cause of offence " the things complained of are to me, and many others who would like to see them abolished instead of added to, that he would reconsider the whole question with his congregation, and having their consenb and the Bishop's, be governed by the majority. As Mr. Walpole has promised to go into Church rites next Sunday, I would ask the favour of his publishing last Sunday's sermon, as I observed it was written. I would also like to say again, in conclusion : This controversy originated with the innovators; let the outcome be what it may, they are solely responsible to God and their fellow-sinners. But, as numbers of the attendants at church yesterday said on going home, " Well, this letter-writing will do some good after all." "So mote it be." Having thus far put my poor hand to the plough, I cannot, I dare not, look back ; the subject is too serious to be allowed to drop into oblivion. My attention has been called to St. Thomas's. Duty will compel my attendance, and honest criticism will bi my aim, God being my helper.—l am, etc., Jehovahshalom.