The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-10-17
Episcopal Convention.
The Question Of Modes of Worship
MEMORIAL AGAINST CHANGtS-PRtStnTATION OF
A NEW CANON.

T, Che Fniscopal Convention IN New York, on
the 18TH John Cunningham, OF Pennsylvania, pre-
8sen,ed a me mortal ss follows: That uniformity in
4 the manner of worshippg the Almighty God is
one of the chief reasons for the use Of liturgy
that il was the object of the Church OF England,
and afterw of the Protestant Episcopal Church
In the United States Of America as appears by the
preface to their respective books Of common
prayer, TO establish form Of worship which might
most tend TO the preservation OF peace and uniiy
In the church. the procuring OF reverence, and the
exciting OF piety and devotion 10 the worship OF
God and, finally, the cutting of Of the occasion
from them that seek occasion of cavil or quarrel
against her liturgy that, in order to attain these
ends, the church 10 the United States made, at It's
organization Ia this country, many important
amendments in the English book of common
prayer, all tending to simplify her worship, and
promulgate christianity and the truths OF the Cos
pei to mankind in the clesrest, plainest, most
affecting and majestic manner.
That of late many ministers forgetful OF the
objects of the fathers OF said churches in this
country have introduced many changes into the
previously long established manner OF conduct
ing divine worship and of performing her rites
fempated BY the book Of common prayer and
The canons, which do not tend to the preservation
Of peace and unity in the church, nor to the pro-
curing OF reverence and the exciting OF piety and
devotion in the worship OF God, and especially
not the cutting of OF occasion from them who seek
occasion for caval quarrel against his liturgy.
By the reason Of such changes the worship in
the churches of this diocese and OF other doceses,
Ia no longer uniform and great scandal and dis
union have been promoted thereby. That your
memoriasts deplore the Introduction OF such
changes in the manner of worshiping God, by
whatever ancient practice in any other church
The same may have been recognized, ana what
ever their intrinsic value, and the fervent hope
that the same may cease from among rs.
That. leaving your honorable body 10 particu-
larize the practices 70 which We allude, your me
rnorialists respectfully express their disapproval
of all devisti0ns, manestly on the increase, from
Al had rffn 0f
acts intentional pastures, unaccustomed ministe-
rial garments, and personal or church decora-
items and all conduct in the celebration OF divine
worship, with tend to make the same resemble
in seeking that of the Church Of Rome, which in
our Judgment charity and the interests OF this
church, as well as good taste, require the aban-
donment of by individuals, even II not forbidden
as injurious to it's peace, or likely to be misunder.
stood by the Christians where We pray. That
canons may be passed which may establish uni
formity in divine worship in all our churches, and
tend TO renew and preserve that simplicity and
absence of the unnecessary ceremonial which the
early Protestant Episcopal Church in this country
sought TO obtain.
Judge Cunningham said he had prepared a
canon for the consideration of the committee on
canons, TO which ne proposed 1t should be refer
red The new canon would read as follows:
OF the manner Of conducting divine worship.
SECTION l. No ministerial garments shall be
worn during worship, or when present or presd-
ing at any rite or ceremony OF THIS church, ex
ceptipg supplies. State bands or gowns, which
shall be used as heretofore on occasions of wor-
ship, and at the direction of the ministry may be
used rites and ceremonies and no ecclesiastical
yestments shall be worn on occasions Of divine
worship or church services by cholrs or assistants
therein: Provided, that this section shall not be
construed to relate to Episcopal vestment.
SEC. 2. Csndlesticks, crucidxes or super-altars,
eo-caled, made of wood or meta! or other sub
stances, shall not be used, or suffered to stand or
hang over any communion table as part Of the
furniture or decoration thereof.
SEC 8. Bowing at the name Of Jesus, excepting
in repeating the creed. turning or bowling towards
the communion table except so far as may be en-
Joined by the rubric, making the sign Of the cross
except IN baptism the elevation of either OF the
elements during holy communion or ablution Of
communications of others, occasional singing in
churches except az provided by the rubrics, and
the use of incense in and during the conducting Of
divine service, are all declared unlawful.
Rev. Mr.. Beck, of Delaware, snimadverted on
the fact that these memorials had been gotten up
in New York and sown broadcast throughout the
country, and signed by many persons without
fully comprehepding their import.
Rev. s. p. Tying, Jr., was present on the floor
of the convention, in earnest conversation with
several delegates.
Rev. Dr. Adams, OF Wisconsin, said when the
question was debated, the house would debate
the matter with all due regard for the distinctive
rites Of both low and high church branches of the
Episcopal Church. The memorial and the pro-
posed canon were referred to the committee on
canons.
Rev. Jas. A. Harold offered another resolution
instructing the committee canons to consider
the subject of departure from the establishe
usage by defect In emitting any portion OF the ser
vices already prescribed. Referred the same as
the last.
message from the House Of Bishops was
read. in which they occur in the proposed re-
moval.
as committee on clerical salaries Jas. III. Thomp-
son, Maryland; s. B. Ruggle, New York James
w. Van Nastrand, Nebraska; G. W. q: Shattuck,