The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-03-07
RITUALIsM..

cesstOns, GenuhexIOns, Etc.-The on
eiating Priest BIesses HimseIf-Other
Strange Innovations" - Low Church
Interference.
ETOnl ne NeD York Express Of last evening.
The recent protest of q majority of the
Bishops of the Episcopal Church seems to
have fallen as lightly on the cause of Ritual
ism as a snowflake on the earth. The fact
was amply illustrated to-day in st. Adams
Chapel, the centre of ceremonial worship,
which has been repeatedly honored by the
presence and the approval of Bishop Potter
In that sacred edifce, Ash Wednesday was
celebrated by the solemn penitential services
and ceremonies to which the mitred heads of
the communion have taken emphatic and
denunciatory exception.
The services in honor of the day commenced
in the chapel at 10 o'clock this morning but
before that time every seat was occupied by
congregation whose uniform responses and
obedience to the liturgical usages of the tenn
pie indicated they were regular worshippers.
THE ALTAR.
In the centre of the altar was massive
golden crucifix, with great tapers on either
side. In front appeared a magnificent anti
pendulum of purple cloth, bearing a figure of
the Lamb and the Cross. The Pulpit, Lee
tern, and the precincts of the Sanctuary were
similarly ornamented and on the Gospel and
Epstle sides were circular clusters of tapers.
THE SERVICES
commenced by an imposing procession of the
clergy and choristers, from the robing-room to
the chancel all chanting the old English hymn
"Forty days and forty nights"
When the officiating priests reached the
altar they bowed reverently before the cruci-
fxion-the congregation following their ex-
ample. The clergy, consisting of the Rev.
Mr.. Morrell, Rev. Mr.. Noyes, and the Rev. Mr..
ElmendOr, took seats opposite the Lectern,
outside the altar, and the Rev. Mr.. Elmendorf
commenced Morning Prayer. The services
Venite and Benedicite-were sung to Angli-
can chants.
After morning prayer, the Rev. Mr.. Noyes
proceeded to the centre of the chancel, near
the altar rails, and intoned the Litany-the
responses being of a choral order. At the
name of Jesus, he, in common with all present,
Teverently bowed his head, and at the Gloria
all present turned their faces towards the
altar, or the Ritualistic East. The Rector here
announced the Introit for the day, the 51st
Psalm; and while this was being chanted all
the clergy retired. ...
THE MASS OR EUCHARIsTIC SACRIFICE.
While the last verscle of the Psalm was
being rendered, the Rev. Mr.. Morrell and the
Rev. Mr.. Noyes with the acolytes and choris
ters, moved again in procession towards the
! altar. The chOristers at once filed to their re-
and the Rev. Mr.. Noyes, with a surpliced
acolyte entered within the rails of the sacred
place. The former acted as the officiating
priest and the latter as his assistant Mr.
Morren appeared in a beautiful chasuble, sur
plice, and stole, of purple, and the first of
these vestments was ornamented with lamb
bearing a cross, both in the back and breast
Having made genufexion at the foot of the
altar the priest descended the triple steps
and bowed down before the cruciix, beneath
which was a chalce covered with purple
cloth, in the centre of which was q white
cross.
The assistant Priest, or Deacon, took his
position at the Epistle side. When the Cele-
brant had bowed before the emblem of redemp-
ton, he proceeded to the Gospel SIDE where
the Bible and Prayer Book had been placed,
and offered the Initiatory Prayer of the Com
mon Service-his "back being to the people"
The tapers on the altar had been previously
lighted by an acolyte, and the bells toled in
honor of the service.
The priest then turned to the congregation
and read the commandments, after which his
assistants read the Epistle and the Gospel
from their respective positions on the altar,
after which they are named, the celebrant
occupying position in the centre before the
cTucitX.
THE OFFICIATING PRIEST BLEssEs HIMSELF.
The priest then left the altar and assembled
the pulplt OUTSIDE the ChanCel. In moment,
having opened Bible, he made the sign of
the cross on his forehead breast and arms,
and all present followed his example. In per-
forming this ceremony he said-
ain the name of the Father and of the Son,
and Of the Holy Ghost Amen"
At the name of the Father, he placed his
hand on his forehead; at the name of the Son
on his breast at the name of the Holy Ghost
on his left arm; and at the amen, on his right.
The reverend gentleman then delivered an
eloquent and forcibe discourse on the ancient
observance of Lent and the necessity of peni-
tence, especially at this holy season.
At the close of the sermon he ascended the
altar, and oficiated in the Eucharistic services
during which he made solemn genuhexions
before the crucifX and ohalice. The cere.
monies closed with the benedicti0n, and the
immense congregation left the temple appa.
rently impressed by the worship in which they
had participated.
LOW CHURCH INTERFERENCE WITH THE CERE
MONIES.
On last Sunday morning, a well-dresseC
individual entered the chapel, and distributed
among the worshippers copies of the protes
of the Episcopal Bishops against Ritualism
He was obliged to leave the edifce, but hi
conduct greatly exasperated all present. as
was calculated to provoke breach OF tn
peace by interfering with the ceremonies
On 'CHAYGE FOR THE CIERGY.-The folloWin