The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-10-01
REVELATIONS OF RITUALLSM.
Curious Practices I'm the Church OF
England.

Some remarkable evidence has been given
before the Ritual Commission IN England. From
the official report of the proceedings just pub
lished we gather the following account OF the
ceremonies in the ritualstc churcbes;-
THE EUCHARIST.
The rituast service is distinguished from that
which is customary in the caIhedrals and college
chapels by the greater prominence given to the
Eucharist. Mr.. White, of ST. Barnabas, wears
colored stoles, which are varied with the altar
clothes, according to the season of the year; but
he does not use the special Eucbaristic vest
ments. He uses the sign of The cross over the
wattr in baptism. and in defense of the practice
of bowiDg at the Doxology he mentions that it
was The custom OF the old people in the parish
church of Vantage, where he was once curate.
In all these churches the sexes are separa ted
and both Mr.. White and MIR. LIE Geyt, of Stoke
Newington, assert that such a rule is essential
in free and unapproprialed churches. THE
Eucharistc vestm ents" are the chasuble for the
celebrating priest the dalmatic and tunicle tor
the deacone. The cope Is professional orna-
ment, but 1t is also customary to put it on in
the evening service at the time when the Mag
nifcat is sung and If only one clergyman is
officiating he adopts this vesture at the critical
moment. At the same instant it is customary
to burn incense, which is also introduced at
three other times in the service. The custom
of 'censing persons or things" has been given
up by some of the party, but the incense is
still brought in, and Is allO wed to burn itself
out.
''THE BoLDER FEATUREsn
Rev. Mr.. Nugee observes special services on
even the Black Letter days in the English caen-
1ar, such as those of ST. Swithin, the Venerable
Bede, and st. Cecilia. Ibis gentleman confines
himself to what he calls 'the bolder features of
ritual" but he certainly makes them very bold.
He introduces ''soft hymn at times during
the administration of the Holy Communion.
1he best idea of this gentleman's ritual will be
furnished by an extract from memorial pre-
sented by nearly one hundred and eighty of his
parishioners to the bishop. He was examined
S truth. and ODlV cOrrpQta1
two minor particulars
"The church was lighted by numerous candles sup
congregation sat in silence for about fifteen minutes
then sngi was heard without. becoming more dis
Then the congregation rose nGsse, and proces-
bearing brass cross suspended on pole painted in
various coors. He was followed by two acolytes in
ment like mason's trowei and the other censer
Smoke os %n 9 Of & S g the HUu wSbR %
choristers chanting Jesus Christ is risen to-day
hers. The Reverend George Nagee, t6e Vicar pA Of
Wymering with book kin 10 hand, closed the procession.
robe was as covered by white surpliee reaching TO
on his head a peculiarly shaped hat, which we are
"The procession moved up the church in very slow
hs t PLACED e on bs each ds Of as
When The service began The psaIms and respopses %
were chaLted by the choir and some OF the prayers
number OF candles in the chancel were lighted In
addition 70 those already mentioned as burning; The
white satin cape which had large oss both before
thing IKE bib Of violet color, which we understand
|The two acOlytes now walked up TO the COM
munon table, and the incense having been lighted,
atont the communion table. He also took the bread
and wine and held them out once twice ward the
weIe chanting Christ our Passover. After the com
munS9 seEYee MT M Rngee preached from ST. 81 John III
win raise Il up; but He spake Of the temple OF His
enforce the docrine OF real presence in the Sacra
ment Of the LoTd,s Supper. Alter the sermon Mr..
chRniing. When this ceased seven OF eight sisters
o. Mercy tP went up and kneeed and the sacrament
THE CONFESSIONAL.
There is another practice which all the chief
Tituasts aVoW. Mr. lie Geyt encourages con-
fession in his preaching, and receives It If
quently heard In Mr.. Nugrees Church (Wymer-
ing near Portsmouthl. They are heard at the
rail of the sacristy door; the priests sit within
the rall, and those who confess kneel outside
the rail. In Mr.. Benefits church Cat Frome,
confessions are received In the sacrsty, or on
occasions like Lent 1t might be In little chapel.
I'VE have" he says, three or four chapels in
our chnrch-quiet places where we might 80 for
Mr.. Clay, Of Brieht states that he was sum-
moned on one occasion to a widow lady in great
distress The Youngest daughter. eighteen years
of aae. was IN the habit OF undergoing severe
penances which had been imposed by an Eng
fish clergyman then officiating In London. The
night previous she had knelt on marble slab,
bare -kneed, for four hours, repeating certain
penitenual psalms and prayers, whlch were i'm
nosed as penance 10 consequence of hsr having
confessed 70 some sins OF temper.
Mr.. WAGNER, of Brighton, states that he
attends in his church three days week at
certain hours for the purpose of hearing cou-
iessions. He hears them in the Veslry.
Penances, he says, are. imposed. He doubts il
be ought TO say whether or no corporal
! penances have been imposed. He has not i'm