The Sun.
London, England, 1868-10-19 00:00:00

THE BRIGHTON RITUALISTS.

Mr. Purchas still officiates at Brighton. The service is
as gorgeous as ever. A correspondent of the Daily News
writes: " There are other clergymen in Brighton who have
advanced far beyond what would have been called ' High
Church' ten years ago, but to Mr. Purchas belongs, at
this time, the post of champion of the extremest
ritualistic views. He is too well versed in Church
.-Tremonials, ancient vnd modern, too earnest a zealot
in the course which he has chosen, to neglect any
point that may give effect to the service. It is carried
out with picturesque vigour from beginning to end, and
though St. James's Chapel is an ugly, unpromising
edifice, there are moments when the scene within may
almost be called splendid. Alas, that the struggle to red-
tape our beautiful old service should make so many scoffers
among this crowded congregation! They are not strangers
to the church, as I can afterwards judge by their readiness
in going through the ordinary forms, and by their
ready responses, scarce heard amid the singing. But
some smile, some jog their neighbour's elbow, and many
make whispered comment while the holiest symbol of our
faith is borne past in a cloud of incense. 'See, it is a
crucifix,' cries one in a whisper loud enough to be heard in
several pews. ' What handsome robes,' mutters another,
leaning forward to catch his friend's attention. And there
is an evident wondering how far they will go ; `what will
they do next ?' which cannot produce healthy excitement."
In a description of the services of Sunday, the same
correspondent says the altars were lighted up, a great
deal of incense was used, and the vestments were of the
most advanced description. They were more gorgeous
than those used in the common services of the Roman
Catholic Church. They recalled the festivals of that
Church. There seems to have been nothing rem arkable in the
sermon. The correspondent of the Times says : "It was
expected that the services of the day would not pass off
without a disturbance ; and, considering the excitement
which prevails on the subject of Ritualism throughout the
town, it is much to the credit of the people of Brighton
that they offered no serious molestation to the incumbent
of St. James's, but have left him to fight the question with
Lis bishop, either in a court of law or elsewhere. The
crowd in the evening, though immense, was quite orderly
inside the chapel, and there was to occasion for any
interference on the part of the police, who were
stationed close at hand, though outside in the streets some
roughs began hooting when Mr. Purchas and his friends
left the chapel. Though the chapel will hold some
twelve hundred worshippers, it is thought that nearly
as many persons were turned away from the doors as
those who were fortunate enough to gain admission,
and a large and noisy crowd was gathered outside
in consequence. The glove, however, has been fairly
thrown down by Mr. Purchas, and it now remains to be
seen whether the bishop will rick it up or not. One thing
only is certain, and that is, that the matter will not and
cannot end here. Either Ritualism is a right thing in
the Church of England and ought to be left to do its
work in its own way, or else it should be put down by the
bishops ; and if the bishops cannot put it down by legal
measures, their hands ought to be strengthened by addi-
tional powers bestowed on them by the Legislature for
that purpose."