The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1867-12-31
Progress OF Rftualism in New York.

The New York Tribune, in its notices Of Christ
mas day services, says:
A large and fashionable congregation ssembie
in st. Adams Chapel, of rltualIsiic fame, to cele-
brate the anniversary of the birth Of Christ. The
space is so very limited that many persons vent
away disappointed, and many more had only stand
ing room. The congregation was very attentive,
and included several clergymen and other profess
sional gentlemen. Previous to the mass, or cele-
bration of the holy communion (the former term,
being OF uncertain derivation, has no necessary
connection with the dogma of transubstantlatlon),
the daily Office or morning prayer was said by the
Rev. McWalter Moves, curatc Of tho church, and
the lessons were read by the Rev. Charles W. Nor
rill. the rector. TIE whole octave OF tins great
festival Of the Christian year being observed at
this church, accompanied with the daily celebra-
ton Of the Eucharist, the ommcmcratlon COM
menced on Tucsdly night with solemn vespers at 9
o'clock. The church is very t~astefu'ly decorated
with evorgreens, banners, &C.,. while the
arrangement Of the altar is the same as
in Roman Catholic churches, except that
the tabernacle in which the Host is re-
served, is wanting. The morning service prior to
the holy communion differed little from that of
Trinity, and Anglo-Catholic churches generally,
both in this country and i'll England, The vest
ments of the clergy, however,, formed an excep-
ton ; whivo embroidered stoles being worn on this
occasion instead Of black. The sermon was
preached by the Rev. Oliver S. Prescott, who put
on q white stole with black border before C ~
mencing, and crossed himself thrice OIL the for
head and breast, according 70 the custom OF the
Roman aud holy Eastern churches. The discourse
related to the incarnation as at once the central
truth in Christian doctrine and the central idea IN
Christian worship, and in his application or the
subject tho preacher viudicated the decoration OF
churches from Scripture, and onjoined upon his
hearers q devout as Nell as hearty celebration OF
Christmas. Considerably less than half the con-
g~regation left at the conclusion OF the morning
prayers, the greater number remaining to
witness the celebration and partake OF the
consecrated clements. The larger candles
lyte vested in short surplice and long cassock--
the ordinary vestments OF the Roman clergy when
not celebrating. Tho ringing Of tho bell was also
noticeable as net 5ei IL usual In Anglican churches.
The Rev. McWalter Noyes was the celebrant, the
Revs. Morrill, and Prescott acting as deacon aud
sub-deacon. The celebrant was vested IL a ohasu-
BILE, the deacon Wore q dalmatic, and the sub-dea-
con q tunicle. Each wor5 q maniplc, which IS like
o short stole, over the ioIt arm. a laced alb was
also worn both by the celebrant and the deacon,
The celebration was musical, and the tno music
added to its aesthetic effect. The Professional
Hymn was the well-known "Adestes fdeles." Hell
more's 'Kerie Elieson" was tine response to the
Commandments; the Sequence, "ShOut the Glad
Iidings;;p the Greed erbecke the oh9Ttoly
Hymn, Hallelujah, from MozarC's Twelfth Mass;
Helmoro's "'Sanctus" and the 'Denedictus qui
vent" before tho conservation Or CANON,
was cfcm the Twelfth Mass, as vas also the
"Agnus Del" The "Gloria in EXcelsls was
Helmore's: and the final Processicnal, "Nunc
dimitis," Gresorian. The celcbraat sang the
Communion Office, after the Roman manner, in
stead Of tho usual informing in monotone. The
majority of the congregation were apparently
Anglo-Catholic and ritualistic i'll principle; some,
however, had evidently paid a visit OF curiosity.
Episcopalians Of what the late Mr.. Conyboare
termed the High ard Dry or tho Low and Slow
schools, were no doubt considerably pcrplexed, if
not shocked, a. spectacle so unlike the tradi-
tional church service. 1t should be remembered,
however, that If We 20 back TO the days OF Ed
ward the With and ElZabeth, VIC shall find these
vestments, genu1exioHs, and listrionic services
quite en- regle, and the Georgian plain style the
! subsequent innovation, Tho r~itualistg, both horo
and in England, are able to make out a pretty
strong case, and Evangelical Bishops arc forced to
tolerate . ritual which they do not approve.