The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1868-10-10
RITUALIsM IN MEMPHIS.
Second Celebration of Mass at the
Church Of the Blessed Virgin
Immense Coneourso of worshippera

celebrated, at the Greenlaw Opera House,
IN the presence of a vast concOurse of peo-
pie, the services of the Anglican Catholic
Church for the second time In Memphis
For the benefit of those of our readers who
did not see the report of the first service,
and who are unaequainted with the peculiar
rites and ceremonies of this branch of the
Anglican Church, We reproduce that portion
OF our first report The congregation was
yesterday larger by at least one-third than
on the previous occasion. As in that in
stance, 1t was also composed largely OF
ladies', among whom we recognized several
from st Peters
In the choir were only two singers aud
an Organist-the instrument used. being q
parlor organ of extraordinary sweetness and
power oftone. The scenic and drop curtains
were rolled up, and the stage served as a
chancel, in which, against dark and SOM
bre woodland scene in which the artist had
depicted single rift showing the blue sky,
stood
TRE ALTAR,
which, with the super altar, was draped in
dark green with "a white cross in the center;
the whole profusely ornamented with rare
and beautiful flowers. The superaltar was
surmounted by plain
CROSS,
apparently about six feet high, on either side
ot'whieh was q trinity of
CANDLES,
which at the beginning of the service were
sdeEooptIy and reTerently approached and lit
ACoLYTEs,
dressed in a purple soutau, over which was
a thin lace surplice After lighting the
candles they retired, and
THE PRIEST,
dressed in stole and surplice, in solemn pro-
.cessIon, preceded by the Aeolytes bearing
ceuscrs of burning
Incense
entered, and, amid the rolling aromatic va
por, reYerently kneeled at the altar, and de-
yOutly saluted its The usual morning SER
vices were intermitted, and the exercises of
the day commenced with Litany, which
was not intoned, in Consequence, we sup
pose, of the choir not being yet prepared.
Alter the Lltany the Priest advanced to the
LECTURN,
in front Of the chanceI which, in like man
ner with the altar was draped IN dark
green marked in the center with a white
cross, and delivered a sermon In conse-
quence of the difficulties attending report
ing such ceremony in so novel place, we
were unable to catch the text, but the fol
lowing is the drift of
THE SERMON,
which was the second of the series of "eon-
feTencesR on the works of our blessed
Lord commenced last Sunday The pero-
ration was that the conflict now going on, is
not between high church and low church,
but between Rationalism and the Catholic
talth-henee the necessity of the union of
all who receive the Nicene creed. The sub
ject of the discourse was Christ great work
of founding the apostolic college, whose pc
cullar function was the power of Ordina-
ton. twenty-five members of this college
are enumerated in scripture. St Peter was
given precedence for the sake of discipline,
but the power of ordination rested in each
OF them. As st Paul withstood 1t Peter,
face to face, the Greek AMI English Church
withstood the Holy Father. They have re-
tained the Faith and the Orders, and the re-
spOnsibility of the breach of discipline is
either on the Holy See for depressing them
beyond the power delegated, or on the afore-
said Churches. The Judgment Bar will try
the case.
Wesley, Whitfield and Morgan reused the
Church Of England from lethargyl but be-
ing Presbyters, had DO ordaining power, or
at least doubt must arise, to speak modest
IFi as to their having possessed that power
BE this as 1T may, brethren in Christ must
ali find common ground Of union since
the very citadel of Christianity is attacked
by Rationalsm, The speaker read extracts
from various memorials on this subject
that Of the High Church of England to the
Greek and Roman Church, and like me-
morIal from EplseOpalIans, Of all grades Of
churchmanship 70 the Method1sts in this
country, and he spoke in feeling manner
of the kind and Christian answer of the
Methodists. lie then, in combustion made
a rapid review of the rise and progress of
as contrasted with all tho
schools of philosophy, proving it a living and
stupendous miracle, built upon the power Of
the Holy Ghost through the incarnation.
The usual voluntary was played at the
close of the sermon, and the collection Of
contributionsmade by the acolytes Before
dismissIng the congregation, the Priest an
nounced that twenty boys ofchristian train
ing and habits were waited as choristers
for the chureh.-APpeaI 5tA inst