The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1867-11-08

R1As6k& ~ pas9hp }b414lewe.
tie Bishop 81 1oWk Ksv. q. ". Lss, ~
foeleAvis9 on ai1sss5 te9 e I4hssh
lists on The errors Of their ways. In ! lslter
TO the Bishop Of Londoa 10 1KYesssss ~
;, I'd Il: eSss!si.s;ss 3 &! Il i;.5;.
,sa ma ~. M sSssiI1Ssa " ~ esI1s
deeply erisved Il tbe vide spread q ritualsm.
In touching and earnest words he urgeAtly
advises English churchmsn ITO cling to the
simple doctrines o. he primitive Church, and
of the Engksh Reiormatiea.u We sapy q
brief sxtrsct q follow: $50 s<
had no previous conception Of the extent
to which the ritualistic movement has eons
here, and the present state Of things j. tfuk
alarming. Some rituafrefofms md iseroye.
ments were undoubtly needed; bot surely
none that should involve "esronsous and
strange doctrines." Tho extreme rit6alists
are plainly aiming at an actual chsnxe In the
doctrine Of our Lords Supper. Indeed, /
believe this object j. frankly avowed. Hoxs
ever this may be, their teaching, their incense,
their vestments, their postures, all hear TO
this one end-an unprimitive and un-protes.
tant view of this Holy Sacrament--a view not
warranted BY Holy Scripture nor by the Book
otCommen Prayer, and one, which IL svond,
seem, can never be generally received by tke'
churchmen of England and America.
The vestment exhibition at WOlyeshamp.
ton filed me with-the esddsst .fosebedipgs;
for whatever may be the nsrs technicsl state
ofthe case in tits country - 10 vesiments,
this matter cannot be much further pressed
in the direction ofwhat is called advanced
rtualism" without the most serious and detri-
mental consequences. In the United States
the incipient movement has been evidently
chapk pd Inv the mr. nj nd i,rna1v
tom just alluded 70, 80 that thsre the danger
is not imminent at present. Did the condf
tion of things in this respect exist there "a
here, am of opinion that an open rupture
could hardly be avoided. Here the connec.
ton between church and State saves you in q
great measure from this peril, and an actual
schism in the church is not very probable.
Bat we see here q most melancholy aliena.
ton of hearts now, and the prospects is most
unpromising If the rituaiists persist ID their
extreme views and measures. Conceding,
as they do, that the matter of vestments, &c,
is not absolutely Essential" how can they
do what they are now doing without strong
upbraidings of conscience for giving such Sc
rious offence to their brethren, who arc cling.
ing TO the simple doctrines of the Primitive
Church and of the English Reformationp
Will they.not pause where they are, and even
retrace their steps, before any further harm
shall be done to the holy cause which al pro.
fess TO have at heart? Their earnestness and
zeal are so great and absorbing that it is to be
feared they will persevere in theircourss from
mistaken view Of their duty, aud without
due regard to the consequences that may en-.
sue. Their zeal has certainly given them no
little success already, and they may gather a
large and strong party IN the church. Men
and parties, of one idea generally susoesded to
~hota thar rh~ = Al
creed may be. The romantic, the sentimen-
tai, the aesthetic and the surperstitious ele-
rnents oil combine to favor the ritualists,
though will not deny that many among them
are aciuated by higher principles and consd.
lera,ions. even whils isbering nnder efrone,4
Gus consictims AID oFioiSHl.s r confess 1
that Lam astonisheaat me leugthaaA which
they have gone inssso briet period and who
can tell to what extent they may vet go, ifnot
checked BY their own yiews Of duty, or By
something else2r Thsird Hsp iefacaion with the
temperate report Of the Rishsl commission,
so far as made, is most unfortunate, and mos,
OMNIBUS ~ TO the future ,sbnt lst ps hope
that their "sober second thonghta may tend
to moderate their feelings, and they may yet
adopt course Of acten which msys restore |
peace and quietnessto Che cburh Il seems
to me- my Lord, that an aHfal sspousibility
rests upon those who are engaged in this. !
movement, They have entered upon most |
fearful experiment. and God alone knows
what will be the issue. Could gain the
whole world thereby, would not join them
IN their efforts, their responsibility is so ter,
rible. They are practically calling in -ques-
lion the teaching of the primitive sees and of
the English reformers. They have little rev.1
erence for the martyrs ofSmiihGeld, Oxford |
and Gloucester; and terms Of union with |
Rome are more desired by them thaa airy
plan for uniting Protestant Christendom, or
for securing among Ali,nue believers an es-
sentlal and all controlling unity of spiri. in
the bond of peace.