The Sun.
London, England, 1869-11-29 00:00:00

THE BRIGHTON RITUALIST PROSECU-
TIOIY.

Tho great suit against the Rev. John Purchas, o f St
James's Chapel, Brighton, came before the Arches Court
on Saturday.
Sir R. J. Phillimore said he had that morning received
a long letter from Mr. Purchas, whose object appeared to
be to account for his non-appearance, but he could take no
judicial cognisance of that letter.
By request of Dr. Stephens, Mr. Purchad was called out-
side the court, but did not answer, although ho was seated
in court. Technically, however, he was unrepresented.
The licence of Mr. Purchas to the incumbency of St.
James's Chapel on 27th June, 1366, was proved.
Mr. C. E. Verrel said he was present at St. James's
Chapel on November 1, 1863, Christmas eve 1868, Easter
morning 1869, Whit Sunday 1869, and on other occasions.
There was always a congregation. He took notes at each
of his attendances. Just before the appointed prayers
there was a an entrance from the vestry of a number of
persons, but not exactly in procession. After a minute or
two they formed a procession. It consisted of a thurifer,
dressed in a red skull cap and cassock, with white surplice
and carrying a vessel containing incense, which he swung.
Then came a person carrying a large cross. (A photograph
was produced by Mr. Archibald representing what the
witness saw, but the Dean refused to accept it as evidence.
On looking at it, however, he said it did not agree with
what had been stated by the witness.) The cross had a
figure of the Saviour upon it, and the bearer of it was called
a crucifer. Two boys called acolytes followed, bearing
lighted candles. They were dressed in red cassocks, white
surplices, and red skull caps. There were chorister boys
in surplices. Then came a person in a surplice with a blue
circular tippet, bearing a silk banner with a cross upon it.
Then came some adult choristers in white surplices.
The next person who came was the " ceremoniarius"
(Laughter.) He was dressed in a white surplice with blue
llppct. They wore cassocks. He thought he knew what a
cotta" was.
The Dean of Arches : What is it ?
The witness hesitated, and looked at something in his
hand. _ _ _

The Dean of Arches : What is it that you have in your
hand?

Witness: Something I brought to refresh my memoty.

The Dean of Arches : Give it to me, sir. What do you
mean by refreshing your memory? This is a printed book
Let it be put away.
Examination continued : Next came two persons wear-
ing cottas. Then came theßev.Mr.Purchas. The procession
moved round the church all singing. Then the appointed
order of prayers began. The same course was pursued on
all occasions. lie was at the chapel on the evening of Feb
28, 1869, when there was a similar procession. Imme-
diately after the benediction the procession was re-formed
During the reading of the Gospel the thurifer swung
lighted incense, and the crucifer stood amidst a group of
choristers. On Easter-Day and Whit Sunday the Te Deur,
was sung at the evening service. A clergyman who was
assisting Mr. Purchas, stood with his face to the altar. Mr.
Purchas was present on all these occasions. On these days the
altar was decorated with flowers, and on the altar also
were a crucifix and two candles, while smaller candles were
placed at the back of the altar and on the credence table
The crucifix remained on the altar during the Communion
service. On one occasion the crucifix was veiled in a white
covering and striped with a red cross. On Easter Sun-
day the veil was not there, and the crucifix remained un-
covered during the service. On Whit-Monday, 1869, and
on another occasion, Mr. Purchas bowed before the cruci•
fix before the service began. At the Communion service
two persons wearing white albs conducted Mr. Purchas to
the altar.
Mr. Archibald, (who was examining): Why don't you
call it the Communion Table ? _ _

The Dean of Arches : 'Why? Let him call it what ho
likes. He has been used to many terms such as "ceremo-
niarius," "crucifer," and others. (Laughter.)
Examination continued : Incense was used specially
during the communion service on Ash Wednesday, 1869.
After the commination service, which was read by Mr
Purchas, he was clad in a red and gold cope, and knelt at
a small table in front of the altar. After staying there a
short time he took a vessel containing a black compound,
like ashes, and rubbed it on the foreheads of the curates
and other persons, leaving a black mark in the shape of a
cross. He then invited the congregation to come up, but
no one responded.
The Dcan of Arches : They had seen what had passed,
and did not like it. Do I understand that he rubbed the
black powder on the foreheads of the curates and boys?
Witness : Yes. Then the Communion service proceeded
During tho Litany service Mr. Purchas sprinkled tho can•
dies with incense and then with water. On Ash-Wednesday
Mr. Purchas gave each member of the congregation a
candle, and they walked round the church in procession,
the crucifer bearing a large cross, and the thurifcr swing
ing incense. The ladies did not accompany the procession,
but remained in their pews holding up their candles. Mr
Purchas were a gold stole, a cope, and a chasuble, and then,
while the congregation was standing, Mr. Purchas incensed
the flowers and the candles, he himself being incensed by
the thurifer. He noticed on several occasions when the
wine was poured into the chalice, a bottle containing
water was brought to Mr. Purchas, who made the sign of
the Cross on it, and then poured out some of it into the
chalice before the consecration. The wine and water thug
mixed was administered to the communicants. On Ash
Wednesday, 1869, and on other occasions, he noticed dur-
ing the consecration prayer that Mr. Purchas prostrated
himself, elevated the chalice,and again prostrated himself
a bell was rung three times, there being at the same time
lighted candles and incense. He held the chalice as high
above his head at he could possibly hold it. The paton wa:
put on the top of the cup, and both held up together. At
that time, Mr. Purchas was in front of the altar, with hir
back to the congregation.
After this evidence Mr. Stephens commenced hit
opening speech, but he had not concluded when the court
adjourned till to-day.