EPISCOPAL RITUALISM. ELEVATION, OF THE TPTENT AND CUP.

Otago Witness, Issue 851, 21 March 1868, Page 4

EPISCOPAL RITUALISM. ELEVATION, OF THE TPTENT AND CUP.

, iFroßfc the European Times ) : , On . Monday last, the Bishop of Dtin«dintook part in the well-known Ritualistic services at St. Ethelburga's, Bishopgate Istreet, City. At 12 o'clock there appeared at the "altar," a young man Tested in black cassock", and wearing a crucifix and beads round his waist, who proceeded to light two of the tallest of 18 candles which' stood upon it. Shortly afterwards there emerged from the vestry a procefßion headed by a lad about 16 years of age, vested in purple cassock and short alb, bearing a cross some eight feet' in length. Immediately after him walked two boys, clothed in scaulet cassocks and albs, swinging a censer, from which, arose an oppressive cloud of incense. Then came the surpliced choir of boys and men bearing aloft two rich banners, one sipparently of the Virgin, the other inscribed with a large red cross. Next walked a youth vested in scarlet cassock and' alb, holding' on high a bonafide crucifix, the image- and cross being of brass. Next came the " celebrant," the Rev Mr Rodivell, rsctor, and two other clergymen, one of whom bore an expression the exact oppo- j site of intellectuality, all wearing the most elaborate vestments. The processional hymn ended, the three clergy knelt with their backs to the congregation, and \ ihe words "Howterrible is this place," &c, -were sung by the choir as an "introit." The Commandments were recited by the Rector in a very extraordinary and. unedifying manner, his chief- object apparently being to excel in the art of repeating as many words as possible in one tone without taking a second breath. It is but fair to add that he succeeded in a degree much to the astonishment of many on-lookers. The Epistle and Gospel were read in monotone, and •without the least intelligence or emphasis. The Canon of the Mass, it may be truly said, was then proceeded with, the alms collected in aid of the new Ritualist Mission in the district of St Matthias, Stoke ISewington, having been paced by the Rector on the front of the table before the large gilt cross -with a deep genuflexion. In the Creed the clergy and congregation generally "blessed" themselves in the usual Popish style, and many at the article, "And was made man," prostrated their bodies before the "altar" during a slight pause.

The most observable violation of both the rubrics and doctrinal teaching of the Articles, however, was "the elevation." After considerable mystery in arranging the elements, Mr Rodwell began the prayer, " Almighty God," &c, and amidst the most solemn silence, proceeded till he came to the words of consecration of the bread, when he raised the paten high above his head, and the service bell tolled three times. Then there was silence, the paten was replaced on the " altar," and the clergy prostrated themselves before it for a considerable time. The cup was then taken, consecrated, and elevated. This elevation was strikingly ostentatious, the cup bemg held by the bottom rim, and the arms extended above- the head to their utmost length. But what can be said when it is recorded that the officiating cle r gyman alone partook, although the choir — professedly communicants — and the crowded congregation were present ! The most glaring idolatry wa3 now indulged in, amidst clouds of incense and the singing of the Missal hymn — " O saving Victim !" — a direct address to the immolated sacrifice upon the pseudo altar ! The post- communion office was then said, and the ablutions, three in number, drunk otf by the Rector. A procession was then formed to the vestry, which soon after returned with its banners, incense, cross, and crucifix, the rear being brought up by the Bishop of Dunedin, the symbol of idolatry itself beinqj carried immodiately before the Episcopal Ritualist. Having paraded the church aisles, and filed off at the "altar" steps, the Te Deum was sung, the Bishop and clergy, banner-bearers, cup and crucifix holders, all standing with their backs to the congregation, and faces to the gaily decked "altar." This over, the Bishop proceeded to the pulpit, the youth bearing the crucifix walking first, and standingat the foot of the pulpit stairs with the imaixe held aloft throughout the entire sermon. With the usual Romish incantation the text was announced. — "And there shall be signs,' 1 (Luke xxi. 25). "In a certain religious house," tho Bishop began, " there was in former days a member of the community who attained to a very high degree of sanctity, so much so as to excite the attention of the brethren. He held a very humble position in the house — he was only the co«k — but Jlie became the subject of general interest on account of his sanctity. So one day, one of thecomnvunity asked him how it was that he had attained so high a standard. He replied, ' Well, the great jSre of the monastery being always before

ane,>~l - am - reminded -of • Jthftt^unquench- 1 able fire -in.jyhich. the wicked shall.suffer,. ; #nd I learn- from sign^fl^e frpm destruction. . * ISTovr this . man' saw a signin his daily avocations. And, I suppose* most of you, my brethren who are heref-'to-day being engaged in, the city, must be occupied much in. casting up accounts. How particular you are not to let any errors creep, in. You strictly enforce ac■curacy in every item. Now, let your business be for a sign to you. Think of the great account which you will one day have to give God. This season of Advent reminds us of that day. It should make us look out, too, for signs. Where ? Why en earth. There never was a time when the world showed itself so determinedly against the Church. It sees life, zeal, and activity in the Church, and so opposes it. In the last century there was no such opposition, but now she shows life and activity the world hates her. But we must exercise patiencs. The Church is insulted. Take it as a trial. Don't uae the world's weapons. No doubt it is an unfair warfare, yet it is the Lord's will and example. Imitate it. You know I allude to the deeds of violence done to those who are doing the Church's work, in the Church's way, and in the Lord's way. The workers in this strife are not the principal parties to be blamed ; for they are egged on to deeds of violence by others who keep back themselves. Such men are more worthy of our prayers than our blame. Indeed, their case is much like that of the abbot of a re- j ligious house, when all the provisions of the monastery- had been destroyed by fire, and one of the members addressing him said, ' Woe, now, to thee, and to us !' who replied, ' Nay, brother, rather how unhappy is the man who thought thus to do us harm. Think of his soul, pray for him.' They might say with the Psalmist, ' They came about me like bees. ' Some one has well said that those who oppose God's work by violence are like the bee, which, though its sting causes little pain to others, yet it often costs the insect itself its life. With its sting it leaves behind its life. These men hate the Catholic principles of the Church. Let us, therefore, help them. Let us support those who have suffered so much and so bravely at Stoke Newington, and by this mission gather many of those misguided souls to whom I have referred into the fold of Christ. Many would, no doubt, have refrained from those deeds of violence if there had been, in the district such a mission as j this. Now is the time, then, to show I your sympathy with those who have borne so much for Christ, who have been assaulted in the exercise of their lawful duties as God's priests. Look at the great change which has come over that parish in the east of London, once so troubled (St. George's East), where now there is such reverence for the clergy, the Church, and Christ. Go on, then, in the j good work, I entreat you, and especially j the young, not to slacken your zeal. | While I say be patient, yet don't be slothful, and you are sure to win one day.'' After the ascription, the Bishop returned to the *' altar," preceded by the crucifix, and "with uplifted hand pro- 1 nounced the blessing from the top step. ! He then turned to the " alt?r," and knelt before the cross for some in silence, finally bringing up the rear of the procession, i which paraded the church in the sr.me t order as before.

Alas ! for the Church of our Protestant martyrs, if these be the successors of the Cranmers, the Hoopers, the Ridleys, and Latimers !

Irishmen in England. — It appears from some official stotistu-s that there are 601,634 persons in Englaudand WaL-r, bom in Lreland, of whom '298,7^9 are males, aga.nst 9,077 530 Englishmen . The Irish imm:grat on is nt the rate of abuut IS.UDO persons a year. Laneishireis th* thickest tr.sh colony, Irish males alone there numbering 10!),t()0. Hu Manchester one-tenth of all males are Irish; in Le>ds Irish ot both sex<>s amount to 4.9 percent., in Birmingham to3perceut., in Bristol to 3 per cent., and in London they are 3.6 per cent, ofmal' s. Everywhere of coui'se, the Irish are h >pelessly outnumbered, and a vory huiixed proportion eveii of this per centage sympathises with Feminism, though a great proportion is discontented with the condition of Ireland.

Very sad accounts are given of the health of M. de Laniirtme, now at his chateau, in Burgundy. H ; sits all day. lung iv an armchair without saying a, word, and scarcely seems to recognise visitors who come to see him. At in <il -tun s, two servants take him by the shoulder, and c rry rather than support him inio the dnuig-room, where ne eats with a pavenous appetit*, but still remains silent. His fnet-ds are extremely uneasy about him. — Orchestra

M Oolfus Assnet has determined to erect a.chalet on the summit of Mout Blanc, aud establish therein a meteorological obscrvatorv, which will therefore be placed at an altitude of 48tfO metios above the ordiuary level of the e»rth. Two auidei, paid and supported by M. Ausuet, will spend the summer in this glacial habitation, tor the purpose of making meteorological obaerva- tions.