The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1871-10-13
Episcopal Convention.

DhbiI MOltE, OCtODer IA mCS-aRc
was received from the House of Bsh-
ops, transmitting tho following report
on uniformity of ritual:
The Committee of Five Bishops ap-
pointed by the House of Bishops, at the
General Convention of 1868, to consider
whether any additional provision of
Uniformity, by cannon or otherwise, Is
practicable and expedient, and TO report
to the next General Convention, having
held sundry meetings at several differ
tnt places, at each of which all the
members Of the Committee were pres
ent through the entire session, and hav-
ing, as they believe, given to the sub
jcct matter intrusted them that careful
consideration which its importance
merits, respectively ask leave to report:
The resolution under which the COM
mitteo was appointed raises several
questions for examination and answer,
is any legislation touching the perform
ancc Of divine service and the admins.
tratiOn of the sacrament and other rites
and ceremonies of tho Church practica-
bic? and If practicable, is it at this
time expedient? and if practicable and
eSpedient, shall it take the shape of a
canon or canons? or, shall 1t be other
wise provided for? and, finally, what
shall the actual details of legislation
| he?
AssuTedly these arc questions that
touch The Church and lis ministers and
members in many and very vital points,
and involve many delicate as well as
| precious relations. In considering these
questions, the committee have endcav-
orrd never 10 forget that substantial
uniformity is entirely compatible with
very considerable individual liberty ;
that non.essentials should never be un-
duly magniGed, and far less raised TO
al equality with essentials; that many
Troublesome and Objectionable things
arc cphemeral In their nature, and
"pcri3h in the using" and that, under
any circumstances, hasty legislation is
over TO be avoided, nor have they omit
tel to keep in mind the wise words Of
tho Thirty.foUrth Article Of Religion.
Tho committee report the following
as III, matters upon which they respect.
fdiiy recommend legislation =
| They recommend that certain acts In
the administration Of the Holy Com
mulion, and on other occasions Of pub.
! lie worship hereafter enumerated, be
prohibitcd by canon, to witt
/. The use Of Incense.
.. Placing or retaining a crucihX in
any part of the church.
3. Carrying cross in procession in
the church.
l. The use of lights on or about the
holy table, except when necessary.
}. The elevation of the elements in
the Holy Communion in such manner
rs to expose them to the view Of the
people as objects towards which adora
ton is to be made in or after tho prayer
of conservation or in the act of admin
istcring them, or in conveying them TO
or from the commitments.
6. The mixing OF water with the
wine as part Of the service or in pres
ence of the congregation.
I. The washing of the priests hands
or the abiution of the vessels in pres
encc of the congregation.
s. liowing, crossings, gcnutlrXion-
prostrations, revercnces, bowling dow
upon or kissing the holy table, ant
knoeling, except IL allowed, provide
for or directed by rubrics or canon,
being provided that reverence at tn
mention OF the name of the Lord Jesu
is not intended to be disallowed, and
being further provided that privat
personal devotion before or after oilicla
| ministration is not to be understood
include or justify any of the acts pre-
hibited.
: 9. The celebration on receiving of Tn
: Holy Communion by any Bishop c
: priest, when no person receives wit
him.
=. 10. Employing OF permitting an
) person or persons not in holy orders
y assist the minister in any part Of tn
order for the administration Of ii
l. Holy Communion.
t II. Using at any administration
a the Holy Communion, any prayers, co
=. lccts, gospels, or cpistlcs other tua
/ those provided in the Book of Commc
: Prayer, or under XIV OF Canon Is
Il title # the Digest.
} They further recommend here =
y l. That no rector of II parish, or oth'
II minister, shall be allowed to intro du'
the choral service without the conScn
> ing vote of the vcstry, or contrary
II the prohibition of tho bishop.
it .. That no surplced choir shall
employed except under the Samc lin
tation; and whom such choirs arc er
70 ployed, the only addition to their orc
e nary attire shall be Il surpllce roachil
e to the ankles.
e 3. That no chanccl shall be allOwt
y to be so arranged as TO prevent the mi
al lister from officiating at the right end
Sc the holy table. 1t is to be noted that
s. credence table is lawful.
It /. The committee further recOmmei
Of that cannonical provision be mat
d touching the dress appropriate to clt
ns gymen ministerng in the congrcgatio
)r and that the only vestments declared
le be appropriate to clcrgymen SO min
T. tcring, be
j. /. For Bishops, the present Episcop
10 robes. .. For all ministers, viii
rs surpice, black or white stole, hla
" cassock, not reaching below the ankle
at black gown and bands,
n, They also recommend that provisi'
ne be made /. That on occasions of Sc
to vices where eXpediency or necessity
III health may require it, tho universi
W cap may be used. >, That candldai
for orders who are licensed to act as ]
readers, may use tho academical bla
a. gown. 8. In addition to the canoni'
I'd rovisions now recommended, the Co
of mittee further unanimously reco