The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1867-08-17
THE RIrUALIsTI6 MOVEMENT IN
ENGLAND.


ENGLAND.
Tendency Toward ROmanism In the
Established Church-Great Meet.
ing Of nti-Ritualists.
SALISBURY, ENG July "A, 1867.
TO the Editor Of The Boston Journal.
| am here in this old Cathedral
town to attend a meeting called by the
church wardens of this diocese, which
was held yesterday afternoon. 1t was
attended by several Lords, a number
of members of Parliament, still a
larger number of clergymen, and the
great body of church wardens of this
vicinity, and members of the Church
of England. As foreshadowing the
future, it is one of the most important
meetings: which has been held since
Victoria came tothe throne.
WHY THE MEETING WAS HELL
The immediate occasion which
broughtthis great body of staunch men
and women together in convention is
a charge recently given by DR.. Hamil-
ton, Bishop of Salisbury, who resides
here under fhe shadow of the tallest
cathedral spire in England. But be-
fore noticing the features of the
charge, a few words in regard to the
"ritualistic movement now going on
in the Church of England are neces-
sary for a clear understanding of the
question. For a long time there have
been two parties in the Church-the
Low Church party-those who were
content with a simple ritual-the
wearing of robes by the ministry, and
bowling only at the name of Jesus in
the service, turning towards the altar
while repeating the thirty-nine arti-
Giles. The High Church party for a
long time has advocated a more i'm
posing ritual, and gradually they have
introduced in many churches the
use of candles, incense, embroi-.
dered robes, cruciixes. ~genuAec-
tions, and what is called the intoning of
the Scriptures, till in a large num-
Der of churches a stranger would
see but little variation from the ritz
ual of the Romish Church. 1t is a
party powerful by its numbers. its
wealth, position and influence, IN
bracing a large number of the aris-
tocratic families of the realm. The
advocates of high ritualism claim
that a majority of the members of
the Church of England are in favor
Of the introduction of more forms and
ceremonies in the service. The Arch
bishop of Canterbury. the primate of
all England, the Bishop of Oxford
and the Bishop of Salisbury, and 1
know not how many more prelates,
are High Churchmen also, Mr.. Glad
stone. 1t was stated in the meeting
yesterday, that the High Church party
had control of. the Ecclesiastical
Courts and the management of eccle-
siastical affairs generally.
: In the parish of st. Albans, a
Monkish brotherhood has been
formed, called the Guild of st. Al
bans" where the confessional has
been established, and where many of
the rights and ceremonies of the
Romish Church are initiated.
The High Churchmen are active
and energetic. You may purchase
their tracts and pamphlets at all the
railway stations and book stalls, and
they commend their doctrines to the
lower classes by advocating the aboli-
ton of the pew system, and making
church sittings free to all. As your
readers are doubtless aware, many
second sons In gentlemen's families
enter the. church as clergymen-not
on account of moral fitness, but be-
cause they must have standing In So
ciety, and it is only a queStion of
choice whether they purchase a COM
mission In the army or In the church. i
This class of ministers are generally
advocates for a grand aud imposing
ritual. Let me not be understood as
saying that all of the ~aristocracy are
High Churchmen. On the contrary.
some of the nobility are strenuously
opposed to any departure from the
present forms and ceremonies. The
Low Churchmen are sometimes call
ed the "Evangelicals." They are
trine, and look with alarm and indig-
nation upon the practices and doe
trines lately brought forward.
II BISHOP OF SALISBURY.
A clap of thunder from a cloudless
sky could not be more startling than
the doctrines enunciated by the Bish-
op of Salisbury three weeks since, to
the clergy of his diocese. There was
no call for the charge; it was an extra
ecclesiastical opinion, put forth as
the bred Scott decision was-as a
feeler. It is not the Bishops opinion
alone, but that of other prelates. 1t
was intimated yesterday that it was
the opinion of the Archbishop of
Canterbury as well.
= What those doctrines are will be ,
seen by quoting from the Charge.
The Church of England, in common
with most Protestants. hold that the /