The Sun.
London, England, 1868-11-02 00:00:00

I'HE BRIGHTON RITUALISTS.

The Telegraph contains a description—graphic, we sup-
pose, it is thought by the writer to be—of the service on
Sunday in Mr. Purchas's church, St. James's, Brighton.
Here is an extract :—" Precisely at eleven o'clock the ser-
vice commenced by a procession, which passed from the
vestry across the transept and round the chapel
Acolytes, priests, and choristers took part in this. The first
boy, who looked remarkably picturesque in his white and
scarlet dress and scarlet cap, scattered incense pro-
fuSely, much to the irritation of the bronchial tubes of the
congregation; a more stalwart follower bore aloft a huge
gilt cross, with a figure of the Saviour on it ; and
another tripped lightly under a white silk banner, on
which the cross was embroidered. The procession was
closed by the ministering priest and Mr. Purchas, both
in vestments of striking colour and wonderful work-
manship, resembling forcibly the handiwork of Mr.
S. May, the costumier, of Bow-street, and utterly
unlike any surplice or cassock. After perambulating the
church a hymn was sung, and the ordinary service of the
Church of England was commenced by a gorgeously.
clad gentleman, with a vigorous determination to get over
the ground as quickly as possible. From this period until
the commencement of the Communion Service no deviation
was made from the ordinary services of the English Church,
save that once or twice the officiating priest incensed
the altar, and was himself incensed by the acolyte, who
afterwards wafted the censer towarda the congregation.
In receiving his incense the priest bowed his head and
folded his palms together, after the most approved pre-
Raphaelite style. The lessons were read from the lectern
by one of two priests, who had been sitting facing the altar
enveloped in huge coverings like Indian-worked blankets
or eider-down quilts. This the priest removed before going
to the lectern. Appearing in a thin, short, cambric shirt,
trimmed with lace at the arms, the bell having given
announcement of the approach of the Communion Service,
Mr. Purchas and his officiating priest adjourned to the
vestry, and reappeared in different vestments, less
gorgeous but more picturesque. During their absence
all the candles on the altar, and two enormous
pairs standing in front of it, were lighted, and on
their return the incensing of altar, priests, and con-
gregation took place on an increased scale. Then
the ordinary Communion Service was proceeded with,
except that during the reading of the Gospel a group was
formed round the officiating priest, in front of whom the
huge gilt cross was elevated. A sermon, preached from
the altar steps, had nothing remarkable in it save a
passing allusion savouring strongly of Mariolatry.
Mr. Purchas took but little actual part in the
service beyond announcing future celebrations of
the Eucharist.' His personal appearance is by
this time known throughout Britain, through the marvel-
lous likeness of him in Punch And the photographs in
costume,' both of which, however, lack the moustache
which he has since grown. He seemed weak and ill, and,
as it were, to deprecate any outbreak of hostility. He
need not have been alarmed. At the conclusion of the
service he was provided with a cab, in the presence of a
score of people, only one of whom indulged in a solitary
hiss." •