The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-11-02
RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE.
Closing Proceedings of the Protcstnn
Episcopal Trienniai Convention.

Tho Convention of the Protestant Episcopal
churches in tho United States has closed its
Lahore III New York hnimnpionslr. !''e 'rAed
oubiect of Hitualism having been disposed of
by the adoption of resolutions offered by Rev.
DIR. Littleiohn, requesting the House of BisE-
obs to set forth for consideration, By tho next
General Convention, such additional rubrIcs IN
the book of Common Prayer rs in their judg-
ment may be deemed necessary, and that in
the meanwhile, in all matters doubtful, refer
ence should bo made to the ordinary (the
person having ordinary jurisdiction in
causes ecclesiastical, generally the bishop,
and that no changes should be made against
the counsel and judgment OF bishops The
effect of this will be to permit the Ritual
lists to 60 ahead without hindrance, except
in such dioceses as have Bishops opposed to
them, but (sa? the Evangelicals) that will not
include New York, where Rltualism has taken
the deepest root. The interest which the Ri
tualistic discussion excites may be estimated
nv the fact that one of the New York journals
gives eight columns to conversations with
clergymen of tie Epscopa! and Roman Catho-
lie Churches upon that subject, and to de-
scription OF St. Alban's, in New York, which is
one OF the churches in that city which has be-
come celebrated by what are called Rltualstic
obseryances.
The following is q synopsis of the proceed
inns OF the Convention on Wednesday and
Thursday, the last two days OF its session:
WEDNESDAYS PROCEEDINGS.
On Wednesday the Convention was engaged
in very earnest. and, at times, excited discus
sion on the order of the day; that is, what to
do with the two repOEo on9av Oh ar eyenna submit
Mr.. Wm. Welsh, Of Pennsylvania, said he
was in favor of both reports, with the eXcep-
tion of few words i'll that submitted by the
minority. For the church itself he had no
fear. There was enough OF the spirit III 1t to
last forever. In the course oil his OBJ serratlons,
he said he had heard the Russo Greek Church
were horritis ed at some OF our dolnGs, and par
ticnIar;y allowing an auctioneer to come into
the house Of God and sell the seats under the
hammer. iFaiut applausc.) He had heard
ren,orL from man who SAID Shoddy came in
md outb:d his most humble competitor. He
would not care if an earthquake shook down
every church which had shut out the poorer
classes from the worship OF God because by
the sale of pcws they were turned into private
chapels.
The Rev. DR.. Gadsden, of South Carolina,
eoid he was used to the old matronly method
of tbe Church of England, and he was opposed
to such innovations as crosses and lights on
the altar. He spoke OF the Catholic Church as
dressing toe 1nuch, while the Calyinists dress
too little; but their church keeps the IN midde m
was accustomed to. Never before did he see
candiesticks and cross oa the altar until he
came into this church (of the Trans
tirnrationl: but if these novelties are
Instrumental in saving souls, let it be
40. If such were best for the inter-
ests of Jesus Christ and the spread OF His
GOSPEL throughout the land, then let them re-
main; but he thought the question should be
thoronnhly examined. On q recent occasion
he VAS compelled to leave sanctuary OF tho
Church of God, III which lie was brought up,
because he could not receive the Holy Sacra-
mcnt in the I'm i'll which 1t was administered,
winch was similar to the Church OF Rome. He
saw that symbol of the body OF Christ, which
he knew he would receive in his heart, made
the subject of public alteration, and that was
entirely opposed to the rubrics OF the church.
He honei. therefore, the question would not
Inc nostuoncd, as it was q subject Of vital mo-
ment. aud he would give his full support to
the report Of the Minority Committee.
Rev James Stuart Hanckel, of S. nth Caro-
lima. observed that this is tue first tlmc that
the Convention grapples with this momentous
subject. As one ordained to keep false doc
trmcs out of the church lie is opposed to all
these idoatrous abominatons. The course of
the Church of Rome was designated b. the
speaker as the very masterpiece OF satanic III
genuiry-a tidal wave forsooth, he said, but ID
il inward? Is it not retrogrcssive? He gave
instances, cited the charge OF dogma in the
Roman Church, and asked, Is it to such
church that w. should drI!t to? God forbid
The burning of lights at communion is IN ad-
vance TO symbolism, which is teaching through
the eye AID not the understanding. Do WIN
burning incense. Docs any one suppose 'na.
bows with swinging censers surround the
throne of God? Rcyertnces to the altar ana
the elements thereon, profound Senutiectlon,
even prostration. as Is pract!ced, means to