Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-10-08
PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL.
Report Of Committee on Ritual Uni.
fOrmity.
Positive Measures Of Reform Proposed.
Action Of the House Of Bishops.

Action OF the House Of Bishops.
! BALTIMORE, Oct. Tin the Episcopal
convention to-day message was received
rom the house of Bishops transmitting the
following report on uniformity of ritual.
Inc following is the report:
The committee of five Bishops appointed
by the House of Bishops at the general con-
vention in 1868, to consider whether any
additional provision for uniformity by the
convention or otherwise is practicable and
eXpedient and to report at the next gen
eral Convention, having held sundry meet
ings at several different places at each of
which all the members of the committee
were present through the entire session and
having as they believed give to the subject
matter entrusted to themthat careful consid-
Grafton which its importance merits, res
pectfully ask leave to report the resolution
under which the committee was appointed
to raise the several questions for examina-
ton and answer: ,,-.-..
us any legislation touching the perform
ance OF divine service, and the adIninistra-
ton OF the sacTaments and other rites and
ceremonies of the church practicable? If
| practicable, is 1t at this time expedient? If
practicable and expedient shall it take the
shape OF canon or canons, or shall it be
otherwise provided for, and finally, what
shall be the actual details of legislation"
Assuredly these are questions that touch
| the church and its members in many and
very vital points, and involve many delicate
| as well as precarious relations. In con-
| sidering these questions the committee have
endeavored never to forget that substantial
uniformity is entirely compatible with very
| considerable individual liberty; that nom
| essentials should never be unduly magnifed
and far less raised to an equality with essen
tials; that many troublesome and objection
able things are ephemeral in their nature
and peevish in using, and that under
any circumstances hasty legislation |
is ever to be avoided. Nor have they omit |
ted to keep in mind the wise words of the |
36th article of religion: SIT is not necessary |
that traditions and ceremonies be in and at |
all places utterly alike, for at all times they |
have been diverse and may be changed &C
cording, to diversities ofcountries, times and |
mems manners, so that nothing be ordained |
against Gods Word. Every particular or
national church have authority to ordain, |
change and abolish ceremonies or rites of |
the church ordained only by mans authori-
ty, so that all things be done to edifying."
these considerations in view, it has been
and is their unanimous opinion that some
action Of general convention, in regard to
the important matters named in the reSolu-
ton appointing them is very desirable, if
not indeed absolutely demanded. Among
many reasons for this conviction that pre-
sent themselves, they venture to ask atten-
ton to the following:
/. II is obvious to remark that there are
among us great and growing diversities of
use in the performance of divine service and
officers OF church. Unless something is
done, and done soon, In the interests of uni
formity these diverSitieS bid fair to equal, if
they do not exceed, those which at the per-
iod of the Anglican reformation were re-
garded as an evil to be removed, and which
led to the decision that the whole realm
should have but one usage. They occasion
moreover, even now, confusion, trouble and
perplexity among our people, and these evils
must increase as their causes are multiplied.
2. 1t is believed that the various services
over and above those provided in the Book
of Common Prayer, or set forth in accord
aalcr with the Pr0rssiof.s Of the lif4l.s one
canon 10 and IA, of the digest, and not
coming under the denomination of Sunday
or other school services are probably used in
1
regard to be allowed, or in what respect it is
TO be retained, the committee do not under
take to say. 1t is obvious, however, that
any such services are a serious disorder and
confusion in proportion as they are framed
on principles, and embody acts, words and
forms, come these from what outside quar-
ter they may, that are not in accord with |
the doctrine, discipline and worship of our |
own Church or are foreign to the genius and I
spirit Of our services.
8. The Committee have reason to be-
lieve that in some instances the services of
the prayer book are unlawfully altered or
mutilated and in others are so performed as {
TO make it difficult, to say the least, to dis I
tinguish them, except in the language en-
ployed, from those of the church of Rome.
Against such wrongs our people have a (
right to demand protection, and whether ]
they demand it or not it would seem plain
and bound duty to provide for it.
For these reasons, besides others, which {
it is not necessary to rehearse, the commit {
tee unanimously recommend action by 7
the present General Convention, and after {
weighing the different modes in J
which this recommendation may be carried
out, they further unanimously recommend
that any action which the Convention may
take shall be in form of canon or canons. '
In proceeding TO state the various details
which they believe right to be made the {
subjects of such action as has been proposed, :
the committee desire to say that while on :
great majority Of points presented there has
been entire unanimity Of opinion, some
things are nevertheless proposed, and others >
omitted, which, had each members indi-
vidual wish regulated the final result
xs-nt,lJ have haar dkfTaraptlV -
They have strongly felt that uniformity /,
necessarily involves the giving up of some
things and the acceptance of others which
individuals may desire on the one hand 20 :
retain, or on the other to remove,
The committee report the following as
matters upon which they respectfully recon-
mend legislation:
They recommend that certain acts in the
of the holy communion and /
other occasions of public worship hereinafter
be prohibited by canon,
viz /
!. The use Of incense. I
=. Placing or retaining the crucifx in {
any part of the Church. {
3. Carrying a cross In procession in the l
Church :
4. The use of lights on or about the holy
table except when necessary.
5. The elevation of the elements in Holy
Communion in such manner as to expose
them to the view of the people, as objects
toward which alteration is to be made, in
or after prayer, conservation or in the act of
ring them, or in conveying them !
TO or from the communicate.
6. The mixing Of water with the wine as
a part Of the service or in the presence of i
the congregation.
Z. The washing Of the priests hands or
ablutiOn ofthe vessels In the presence of the
congregation.
s. Bowling, crossing, genuhections, pros
trations, reverence, bowling down on or kiss
ing the holy table and knesling, except as
allowed and provided for by the RubriC or
Canon, it being provided that reverence at