HIGH CHURCHISM

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 8295, 5 December 1912, Page 1

HIGH CHURCHISM

QUESTIONS OF RITUAL ,VICAR AND VESTRYMEN AT VARIANCE. . STORMY MEETINGS.

Special to the “ Times.” AUCKLAND, December 4. > A conflict has arisen in St. Paul s Anglican Church between the vicar, tho Rev. C. A. B. Watson, and a x>ortion of the congregation over matters of ritual, wiuen, tho dissentients declare, are leading towards High Churchism, if not towards Rome, flour years ago some opposition was raised upon tne introduction of altar lights and the processional cross. Alter several stormy parishioners’ meetings the vicar had his way, and this procession has since formed part of tho regular service at St. Paul’s. Next the vicar intimated his desire to wear vestments at all celebrations of the Eucharist, and so again came into collision with the members of the vestry. Two special meetings of the vestry were held, at which tho vicar outlined the reforms lie desired to introduce. These included the wearing of vestments, the substitution of wafers for bread at Communion, tho burning of altar candles at all evensong services, and tho elimination of ladies from the choir. Strenuous opposition was at once aroused, vestrymen with over thirty years’ regular attendance in the church announcing that the day vestments were used in St. Paul s would be the last on which they would enter the church portals. A COMPROMISE. The vicar maintained that the use of Eucharistic vestments was ordered by tho Book of Common Prayer, and as a compromise suggested their use at celebrations of the Eucharist on two Sundays in t>b© month. Ultimately trio following resolution was proposed, and declared carried: That this vestry strongly protests against the introduction of vestments in any shape or form in St. Paul’s Church. Four members voted for the motion, three against, and three refrained from voting at all. It was further announced by the opposing vestrymen that if the use of vestments was insisted upon ' a huge deputation of parishioners to the Bishop would be organised. THE VICAR PERSISTENT.

The next phase, of the trouble was the publication of an' announcement in the St. Paul’s Church ‘“Monthly Gazette,” and the following important announcement was made by the vicar from the pulpit at matins and evensong on Sunday: Changes in the services at this church will be made commencing next Sunday (first Sunday in Advent). ' (1) Choral celebrations of the Holy Eucharist will be held on the first and third Sundays of the month at 11 o’clock, with matins at 10.15 a.m. (2) The altar lights will be lit at evensong every' Sunday for the future. (3) The proper Eucharistic vestments ordered by the Prayer Book will be worn in future at all early celebrations of the Holy Eucharist. For the present they will not be worn at the midday celebrations. Tho Rev. Mr Watson to-day declined to make any statements pending an announcement which he intends to make from tho pulpit on Sunday evening, December 15th.