The Express.
London, England, 1867-06-08 00:00:00

[STAMPED, 1L ADDITIONAL. ]

THE RITUAL COMMISSION.

The text of the royal commission to inquire into
ritual practices is published in last night's Ga:rtte. It re-
cites that it has been represented "that differences of
practice have arisen from varying interpretations put upon
the rubrics, orders, and directions for regulating the course
and conduct of public worship, the administration of the
sacraments, and the other services contained in the Book
of Common Prayer, according to the use of the United
Church of England and Ireland, and more especially with
reference to the ornaments used in the churches and
chapels of the said united church, and the vestments worn
by the ministers thereof at the time of their ministra-
tions ;" and that "it is expedient that a full and impartial
inquiry should be made into the matters aforesaid with the
view of explaining or amending the said rubries,orders, and
directions, so as to secure general uniformity of practice in
such matters as may be deemed essential." It, then, " re-
posing great confidence in their ability and discretion,"
nominates, constitutes, and appoints the Archbishop of Can-
terbury, the Archbishop of Armagh, the Earl Stanhope,
the Earl of Harrowby, the Earl Beauchamp, the Bishop
of London, the Bishop of St. David's, the Bishop of
oxford, the Bishop of Gloucester and Bristol, Lord
Portman, Lord Ebury, the Hon. Mr. Walpole, Mr. E.
Cantwell, Sir Joseph Napier, Sir W. P. Wood, Sir Robert
Joseph Phillimore, Mr. T. Twirls Mr. J. I. Coleridge.
Q.C.; Mr.J.A. Smith, Mr. BeresfOrd Hope, Mr. J. G. Hub-
bard, Mr. A. P. Stanley, Mr. Harvey Goodwin, Mr. James
Amiraux Jeremie, Mr. Robert Payne Smith, Mr. Henry
Venn, Mr. William Gilson Huniphry, Mr. Robert Gre-
gory, and Mr. Thomas Walter Perry, to be commissioners
for the purposes of the said inquiry. The terms of the
commission are as follow:—" And we do hereby

enjoin r, or any ten or more of you, to
make diligent inquiry into all and every the
matters oresaid, and to report thereupon from
time to time as to you or any ten or more of you
may appear to be most expedient, having regard not
only to the said rubrics, orders, and directions con-
tained in the said Book of Common Prayer, but also to
any other laws or customs relating to the matters afore-
said, with power to suggest any alterations, improvement.,
or amendments, with respect to such matters or any of
them, as you or any ten or more of you may think fit to
recommend. And whereas it has further been repre-
sented unto us that some alterations may advantageously
be made in the proper lessons appointed to be read in morn-
ing and evening prayer on the Sundays and holydays
throughout the year, and in the calendar with the table of
first and second lessons contained in the said Book of Com-
mon Prayer : now, we hereby further enjoin you or any ten
or more of you, after you have completed and reported on
the matters referred to in the former part of this com-
mission, to inquire into and consider the proper lessons so
appointed to be read as aforesaid, and the table of first
and second lessons contained in the said Book of Common
Prayer, with the view of suggesting and reporting to us
whether any and what alterations and amendments may
be advantageously made in the selection of lessons to be
read at the time of Divine service ; and for the better
discovery of the truth in the premises, we do by these
presents give' and grant unto you, or any ten or more of
you full power and authority to call before you,
or any ten or more of you, such persons as you
shall judge necessary, by whom you may be the better
informed of the truth in the premises, and to
inquire of the premises and every part thereof,
by all other lawful ways and means whatsoever:
and our further will mud pleasure is that you, our said
commissioners, do with as little delay as may be consistent
with a due discharge of the duties hereby imposed upon
you, certify unto us under your hands and seals, or under
the hands and seals of any ten or more of you, your
'several proceedings in the premises: and we do further
I will and command, and by these presents ordain, that this
our commission shell continue in full force and virtue, and
that you our said commissioners, or any ten or more of
' you, shall and may from time to time proceed in the
execution thereof, and of every matter or thing therein
contained, although the same be not continued from time
to time by adjournment."
Mr. William Francis Kemp, barrister-at-law, is ap-
pointed secretary to the commission.