The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1873-10-08
From the EpiscOpaIian.
What is Ritualism? And why Ought it to
be Opposed?

Among the tracts on various religious and
Ecclesiastical subjects imported by Mr.. ThoS'
Whitaker, of New York, is one bearing the
above title, and written by the Rev. j. G.
Ryle. 1t is remarkably concise and pithy,
and disposes of the whole matter in nut
shell. We commend the tract as good one
to circulate in our parishes, Sunday Schools,
and in all places where our Church is expe.
riencing the blasting and mildew of Ritual.
ism. We have modified the tract to suit this
longitude and the peculiar state of oul
Church in this country, thus adapting it tC
Americans.
We do not agree with the Rev. Mr.. RylC
in respect to the entire inconsistency of the
Sacramentarian theory and Ritualistic de-
velopment of it with the Prayer book. We
think it takes great deal of very hare
work to explain away the plain and obvious
meaning of number of expressions in the
administration of the5 Ordinances. And
therefore, in one category or specification
we have made that idea prominent, fairly
admitting the difficulty, but contending fol
possible methods of explaining and getting
over the Objectionable matter With this
preliminary statement we invite attention tC
Mr.. Ryle's excellent and telling weapon
drawn from the Scriptural armory.
l. Ritualism is q modern system of wor
shipping God in the Protestant Epi8copa
Church, with an excessive quantity of out
ward rites, forms, ceremonies, gestures, pos
lures, ornaments and decorations, and more
especially in the administration of the Lord
Supper.
Ritualism in the Lords Supper shows it.
self by an extravaganza reverence for the
Lords Table, as if it was an altar; by an
idolatrous veneration of the bread and wine
after conservation, as if sChrist's body and
blood were cOrporally present in the elements
and, in many churches, by the clergy wear
ing gorgeously colOred vestments; by the
elevation of the elements over the clergy.
mans head after conservation, and by the
use of incense.
Ritualism is often found in close connec.
ton with the following doctrines and prac.
tees, viz. the existence of a sacrificing
priesthood in the Episcopal Church, the con.
fessional, the worship of the Virgin Mary
and the saints, prayers for the dead, VOWS Of
ceEbacy, conventual institutions, the use Of
cruoifxes and lighted candles on the Com
munion Table, the uselegsness of the Bible
without the Church, the authority of tradi.
ton and the Fathers, the invaldity of al
non-episcopal orders and ministrations, and
the disturbances of reunion with the Church
of Rome.
Ritualism, in short, is only modern form
of priestcraft and popery.
II. Ritualism ought to be steadily opposed,
for the following reasons =
1. Because it has no real authority in
Gods Word, and is not to be found any,
where in the New Testament.
2. Because it dishonors the One Sacrifice
and priestly Office of Christ, obscures the
faith of the Gospel, and practically puts hui
man mediators between Christ and the soul.
3. Because in many points, though ex-
pressions are found in the Prayer book
which are readily used to favor the doctrines
of RitualiSm, yet it is fatty contrary to their
express teaching.
4. Because it tends to bring the laity into
subsection to the clergy, and specially to en-.
slave the consciences of women.
5. Because it leads direct to that Popery
which we cast out of our Church three hun
dred years ago by our Protestant Reformers