The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1867-03-07
To the Clergyisnd Laity Of the Protistent Episcol
Ehurl.h In the nincnsa nf LIZA.

Church in the Diocese Of Iowa:
DEAR BRETHREN Permit me to call your
attention TO the accompanying Declaration
of majority of our Bishops on the subject
Of ritushstie innovations, and to ask of the
clergy to communicate this letter and that
document to their respective congt egations at
an early day, To me it is q matter of deep
modification that there should be any occa-
sion tor such a course on the part Of the Bish
ops, in any portion Of the church, either in
this country, or in England and | am glad
10 believe that in this diocese the condemned
innovations have not. thus far, been introduce
ed, and that they prevail to q very limited
extent anywhere within our borders Still
the signs Of the times, and certain public de-
moustratons, seem TO render this Declare
ton important and necessary, III order TO
check any dangerous tendencies, and tagiye
influential testimony in favor of the sim picity
OF the gospel, and of that ecclesiastical sys~
TEN which has come down to us from the
Apostolic age and whose legitimate usages
and services are in accordance with its spirits
usi and venerable character, as marking
rue branen of CHRIST. The Innovations re-
ferred to, and others that might have been
named, seem 10 me te degrade the worship
OF Almighty God and if they are not origin
sted by superstition. they certainly tend in
that direction. and are IN opposition TO the
spirit Ut ihe new despeusAtion. as well as to
that OF our reformed and Seripturs Church
| could myself have wiling Y aad gladly gone
much further than the few details of ihedecla
ration, but the course adopted may suffice
for the designed object not only preventing
the more Objectionable and prominent limos
va.Ious complained Of but also those Of
minor though related character and which
persuaded, are sometimes INDUCED in
D
which are without authority as established
customs Of the Church. I would urge
general compliance with what is usual and
ordinary 10 the celebration Of Divine SER
vice, aud suggest that everything that Is un-
usual aud extraordinary be carefully avoided
1t is very desirable that there should be uni
tormity III the customs and practices of our
worship, and that no Unauthorized usasss
should be made test OF true attachment to
the Church. The application OF such test
naturally grows out Of these extra rubrical
Innovations, which is one strong reason.
among others, against their introduction into
any Of our congregations. That may be
Mose explicit would state that. aside IRON
the very prevalent custom Of bowling IN the
Greed al the name Of Jesus which Itself in
our church, is traditional and optional-I
regard all bowlngs and genufections during
public service, by the clergy or people. as ins
expedient not being warranted by the Rubrics,
Cannons, or general custom, and tending to
excite and foster spirit of Journalism, ut var
lance with the simple teachings Of Christ and
His holy Apostles. | would include the
l6oii q turning significantly towards the
Lord { table, IN theusual scription at the close
ofthe sermon, as we'll as in certain parts Of
the service where no such direction is given
by the Church, as among those practices that
ars comparatively novel and limited,
and that are hndersnee TO the order
and uniformity that are SO much TO be desired
in church whose worship is common prayer
and praise, and whose true prosperity will
ever be identified with ritual simplicity. and
with that primitive faith which was once de.
liyered TO the saints.
do no. refer to these things in any dictate.
rial or intrusive spirit, but from an HONEST
conviction that tue prsctces in question,
whether arising from sentimental,or docfriual
feelings and views, are entirely inexpedient
il not unlawful and because ! find it a houn-
den duty to discharge and opposethem in the
Church at large, and especially in my own
diocese. II is my earnest desire to stand BY
the Church as it Is, and to see the clergy aud
Laity conformed to all fixed usages and Gus
toms, and discountenancing everything, in all
directions, that's Unauthorized by the Church.
May God give US grace 10 be faithful to our
trust, to drive away from the Church enron
nous and strange doctrines and practices and
to do all in our power for the promotion and
extension ofthat bisssed kingdom which is
not meat and drink, but righteousness and
peace and JOY in the Holy Ghost.
Commenting you all my dear brethren, TO
the favor and blessing OF The Great Head OF
the Church, remain your adecticnste friend
and Bishop. HEsRY W. LEE.
DavErpoer, Iowa March /, 1857