Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-03-14

The common remark that the church of En-
gland was wide enough to hold within its com
munion men of the most diverse theological
opinions, or of no theological opinions at all
has lately received two emphatic contradictions
the effect of which is to define the boundarie
both on the side of rationalism and that of ritz
alism. The final authority in the Engisl
church on all ecclesiastical matters, whether o
opinion or observance, is the privy council. Thu
true meaning of doctrnsl formula, the cu
and color of ecclesiastical vestments, questions
of dogma and of ceremony, are all determined in
the last appeal by this tribunal not of ecclesias-
tics but of civilians. Mr.. Yoysey, who denied
the doctrine of the atonement, the divinity oil
Christ and the inspiration of the Bible, and aP-
parently exulted in the opportunity OF MAINTAIN
ing that his laxity of belief was consistent with
the formulas of the church, was pronounced
hereto. and informed that only formal recanta-
tion of his errors within week would unable
him to retain his benetce. Like an honest and
sincere man, as he probably is, he treated this
invitation to save his living by hypocrisy as an
insult, and is no longer priest of the church OF
England. The decision in his case rectifes the
frontier on the side of rationalism.
On the opposite border Mr.. Purchas, the
somewhat famous ritualist of Brighton, had oc-
cupied a territory quite as far beyond the known
and recognized domain of the church. Mr.. Voy-
sey did not believe so much as the church re-
quires its members to believe. Mr.. Purchas
believed all that was required, and many things
beside which are denied or doubted by the
church. He maintained the propriety and
efficacy of mortuary ceremonies for the repose
of the souls of the dead, in auricular confession,
and in the value of elaborate ceremonial observ-
ances. Divine service, according TO his form of
ministraton, began with procession consisting
of thurifer, swinging lighted censor, a
erueifer bearing crucifix, acolytes carrying
lighted tapers, choristers in red and white,
and other persons in various costumes
Above the holy table was erected a large
metallic cross, on which was a figure of
the Saviour. This image was "censed
repeatedly during the service, and the minister
bowed to it. These irregularities, as they seemed
to many, or reservations of the order of worship
in the ancient and primitive Anglican church,
as Mr.. Purchas held, were made the ground of
prosecution in the 'Arches" court. The dean
of Arches held that these ceremonies were lille
gal, but that the use of certain robes and vest
ments of divers colors, shapes and materials, in
which Mr.. Purchas was wont to clothe himself
and his assistants during the service, was allow
able. The censured minister took an appeal to
the privy council, which has quite recently made
decision affirming the Judgment Of the Arches
court so far as II was adverse to appellant, but
deciding further, that the costumes which the
lower court allowed were not to be tolerated in
the established church.
Mr.. Purchas has the same opportunity granted
to Mr.. Voysey to forsake his errors and re-
main in the ministry OF the church, or cleave
to them and be cast out. These two decisions
will be a sensible check upon freedom of opin-
ion and conduct within the church, and each OF
them viii be felt by considerable number Of
the clergy, to whom they present the alterna
tive either of hypocritically coneealing theii
convictions, or mourning the penalties of expul
sion from their livings and communication
The most curious thing about the whole matte
is that the tribunal of last resort in these case
is not composed of ecclesiastics or theologians
its members may not themselves belong to tn,
church of England, nor need they be even nom
inal believers in Christianity. They are lawyer,
and decide these questions according to the Law
Of the land, as they find il, not as questions Of
conscience or of natural or revealed religion.