The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1872-09-28

RioSo IA tao SheAAaS JS"t "NN~ SfNS
journal, the matter discussed will, I think, not
be devoid Of interest for every one who, like
myself, Ia a conservative and old-fashioned
CHURCHMAN.
Tbe Choral Service.
During the episcopate of the late Thomas
r. Davis, Bishop Of South Carolina, there was
entire uniformity throughout the diocese In
the mode of rendering the services OF the
Episcopal Church.
Every clergyman and layman knew that the
bishop not only did not sympsthlze with the
movement In the church which sought to IN
troduce q more elaborate and Imposing
ritual, but within his own diocese dlscour-
aged any rendering Of services after q manner
not In accordance with Evolutionary usage.
It was we'll known to many that there was
more than one Of the clergy, who, having
visited Northern cities and attended churches
where choral services were used, returned
home with q strong desire to Introduce into
his own place OF worship what he considered
warmer aud more devotional rendering OF the
liturgy. Every such clergyman, doubtless
from respect 10 the late bishops Views, and
in Difference to his Office, did notseek to carry
out plans which he cherished for changing the
mode of conducting public services IN mis-
church. -
At length the time came, after the demise OF
Bishop Davis, when one OF the city clergy In
troduced into his choir q number OF chorlster
boys, and appointed some parts OF the service
which had hitherto been "said" TO be rendered
chorally.
rendering the services had now, ln cur church,
departed from that known In the diocese from
the earliest times, produced a profound Ina
on the frat Sunday after Easter, the new
bishop, the Rt. Rev. W. B.W. Howe, attended
and took part In the services at the church
Just referred to, and addressed the congrega-
ton. .
HIS remarks were listened to by avery large
number Of people with breathless attention,
and that not merely because the bishop Is the
most t"hcughtlnl and impressive preacher 10
the d8ocese, but because he spoke plainly, and
expressed himself unreBervedly as TO the rem
dering Of the service that morning. The
bishop said
sIn regard to Divine service I would remark
that I observe In some particulars . departure
from the ordinary usage which has hitherto pre-.
vailed in this diocese, and 1 notice 1t now. not to
diRapproye II, but merely 20 oner q few ooserva.
same spirit In which they are made. Personally,
and when I consult my own tastes. l delight IN q
choral service where 1t Is competently, and devo-
an emphatic protest against the lLfeless way In
which, In too many OF our churches, the congre-
getion fulhl their part or the noble liturgy.
tnipes. II not in many, the public worship OF our
church In this diocese could be changed Tor the
better, and whereby more animation ana reVer-
ence would be exhibited. Bot departure from 9
traditionary usage, from public worship. such as
we have been familiar with, TO q choral rendering
or our service, ought. l think, before 1t becomes q
fxed feature Of this diocese, to sand upon
grounds which are reoognized by the eccieslastl-
cal authority as firm anu, legitimate +,
II sm not, or present, satisfied on this point. l
am not certain that we OF the American Churcn
have q right by our rubrics to the choral. service.
i does not follow, IN my 3adgm.e !, ,sa .ia .n eeesuse
we may also, Observe, ! do not decide agalastr.
81 mean to cramp the lawful liberty OF no cler.
eyman, nor OF any congregation, but only desire
tnat depa1 ture from previous usage may be seen
to be tustided BY q fair and careful Interpretation
Of the N~turgical rules. When these rules come to
be carefully studied, the choral service may be
found to be Implied In them, and, II so. then none
can ind fault with any OF our congregations u IL
chooses to use It's Iibe,ty.
-"On tbs other hand, II, after q careful examins-
ton, the ecclesiastical authority should determine
that . service principally choral 10 nos I ;Sa EN-
Wayto do IL to lay 1t aside for the present. and
deny ourselves until such service Is distinctly
sanctioned by the general convention.
at seems to me that each diocese, In the alb.
sanoe OF the declared opinion on the part OF the
general convention, must Judge Tor ttseu; and
hence It. iB my purpose, before l express any
opinion on this matter. and in order TO come TO g
sound conclusion, to call to my aid M canontcal
adyisers-the standing committee or the diocese
and II the result be that the choral service Is o
legitimate use, then surely all offence ought 70 be
considered removed therelrom, and 1t should be
received without any questioning or any sus-
plcion."
From these remarks of the bishop, his hear
orr. and. in q short time, all within the do
cese. were put In possession Of bis views, and
enabled clearly 10 understand his position
with regard to the introduction amongst US Of
a more musical rendering OF our liturgy.
He said at once very frankly tnas me- o.
served In the service OF the morning "a De
partnre from the ordinary usage which has
Hitherto prevailed In this diocese"
Then. speaking without reserve, he remark
ed that. personally, and when consulting his
" taste, he delighted In q choral service.
Bnt he thought departure from Evolutionary
usage In public worship. departure from tne
worship with which we haye peea la s ! y
I'to q choral rendering, ought, before Decom.
ing q fixed feature OF this diocese, to stand
upon grounds which are recognized by the
ecclesiastical authority as hrm and legitimate"
The bishop then stated that he was not SALTS
fed on this point. He was not certain that
the American Church, by our ruorics. haa q
right to the choral service; and 1t did not fol
low that because the English Church used 1t
that therefore we might also. While not
meaaing to cramp the liberty of any clergy
man or congregation he only desired THAT
departure from previous usage might be seen
fo be justified BY a fair and careful interpreta-
fion or the lIturgical rules" when these
rnles.n added the bishop, come TO be care
fnliy studied the choral service may be found
to be implied In them, and, If 30, then none
can And fault with any one Of OUT congrega-
lions If IL chooses to nse It's liberty. On the
other hand, II after careful examination the
ecclesiastical authority should determine tlat
q servfce-principally choral is not contempia-
tad by the American Prayer BOOK, then tne
true way to do is to lay 1t aslde Tor the pres
ent'', &c. :,
Bishop Howe. holding that each diocese, ID
the absence Of the declared opinion OF tne
general convention, must Judge tor llseIl,
called to his aid bis canon1cal adVlsers-Cae
standing ccumlttee-to decide Wnetner tue
american Trayer.book, through its lturgical
niles or rubrics, does contemplate "a service
principally choral" ..s..
The decision of the bishop and standing
committee of the diocese, as to the mode OF
renderIpg the services of the book OF common
nravar of the American Church, based upon q
carefnl ord strict Interpretation of the rubrlcs,
has been looked forward to ior some Time, oy
hoth Clergy and laity, with great Interest.
This deaisIon has Just been made known IN
tho hishop,s pastoral letter to the clergy ana
Congregations Of the Diocese OF South Caro-
lima, . .xt,a,+ from tho
{ .pear Br~sthsen-some time ego, on a public u
80 AhA N 1921.