RITUALISM IN THE ANGLICAN CHURCH IN NEW ZEALAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13938, 21 December 1908, Page 3

RITUALISM IN THE ANGLICAN CHURCH IN NEW ZEALAND.

Sir,l remember the story of a school boy who being asked the Latin for cold said he had ib at his finger tips. In matters of ritual wo lay members of the Church of England are in a similar position. It is an affair of our senses. Wo neither know, nor understand. Inquiry is met with antagonL ism, and it is always difficult to discuss the | subjoct without giving offence. When the reverence due to religion is violated it is our bounden duty to take aides; and so also, .1 when the foundation of our faith is sapped i- with superstition. I should like to statfi a y plea for dealing with the high church moveJ ment in this diocese. I know that the priest —never minister now—wastes no time with those who know the teaching of such Bishops t of the Church as Temple, Selwyn, Alexant dcr, or Magee. " Some candidly confess that 6 they leave the parents alone; "It is 110 use arguing with them; we endeavour to mould the children." This is the text of their policy. My first plea is to remove our chil[l dren from the influences of such teaching, a I do not wish to attack Mr. Watson. He is . no "higher#' than most of those recently • appointed to this diocese. I commend him for tho courage which inspired him boldly , to break cover. The situation is serious. It ; will be entirely our own fault if our children • remain under such teaching in any parish. < Wo have practically lost the right of select--3 ing our pastors. There are two parish nomi- ' nators and two diocesan nominators, but the choice is controlled by the high church j clerical party. We have a constitution, but 1- no freedom. It would restore the comfort of j old times to see ■ the services of our Church ; restored to the old simplicity. A simplicity hallowed by reverence, never austere, but. free from ritualism and the despotism of 7 maze and metaphor. Arbaces. > _________________