Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1874-10-16
A New e'auan TO Suppress Ritualisns.

A New eaN9N TO Suppress Ritualisns.
We notice among the proceedings Of the Gen
cr;,l Convention of the Episcopal Church. that
on Saturday last Rev. DR.. Levin Of this Parish
introduced the following preamble and resolu-
ton:
Whereas, The General Convention of 1871
declined to enact any restrictive law on ritual
uniformity, but in lieu Of it passed the follow
ing resolutions:
ReSolced, the House of Bishops concurring
That this convention expresses its condcmna-
ton Of ceremonies, ohservances, and practices
which are fitted to express doctrine forei On
to that set forth in the authorized standards of
this church.
RsSOiccd. That in the iud of this House,
the paternal counsel and advice of the Right
Reverend Fathers. the Bishops Of the Church.
is deemed sufficient in this line to secure the
suppression Of all that is irregular and unseem-
", and to promote greater uniformity in con-
Quoting the public worship Of the church, and
in the administration Of the holy sacraments
and
IJIsreqs. Our Right Reverend Fathers the
Bishops of the Church,. did draw up and cause
to be published pastoral letter to the mem
bers of the church. which pastoral letter, after
divine service duly celebrated. was read in the
presence OF both houses of the General COnven-
ton hy Right Rev the Bishop presiding in the
House Of Bishops; and
Whereas In the aforesaid Pastoral Letter
''Our Right Reverend Fathers, the Bishops OF
the Church, gave them pa,ernal counsel and
ADVICE using the following words: ''We
counsel YOU to bear in mind that while on the
one hand. we must not suffer ourselves to deny
any real good by reason of mere popular out
cries against ritual forms, 50 we are never to al
low professions of selt-denying labor and SER
vice 10 blind Us to the actual dangers of any
movement in the Church. What is known rs
''rituIlism i merely ii question OF taste, tenn
permanent. and constitution until it becomes the
expression of doctrine The doctrine which
chiefly attempts, as yet, to express itself 10y
ritual in questionable and dangerous ways Is
connected with the Holy Eucharist. That doc
trine Is emphatically novelty in theology
" ha, is known as eucharist alteration, is un.
doubtedly inculcated and encouraged by thai
ritual of posture lately introduced among US
which finds no warrants in our ''Office for the
administration Of the Holy Communion - and
Whereas The above solemn words OF coun-
sci and warning of ''Our Right Reverend Fa-
Tiers. the Bishops Of the Church, have not
proved sufficient to check and suppress ritual
practices and ceremonies which have been thus
most cmpnatcally characterized as question
able and dangerous" and (which find no
warrant IN our once Tor the administration OF
the Holy Communion therefore he it
Resolred the House Of Bishops concurring),
That the following canon Of ritual uniformity
he enacted
Section l. The elevation of the Elements of
the Holy Communion in such manner as to eX-
pose them to view of the people aS objects to-
ward which alteration is 10 be made in or after
the PRAYER of conservation. or in the act of adj
miniStcrng or in carrying them TO or fro from
the COMMITMENTS, howinos, crossings, genu-
heCtiuuS, prostratiOu, REFERENCES bending down
upon. kissing the Lord table. and kneeling,
except rs allowed, provided for, or directed by
the rubricS or cauonS; and any gesture, posture,
or act implying such alteration, and any cero-
mony not prescribed part of the order for
the administration Of the Lords Supper or
Holy Communion, likewise the use at any ad-
ministraton of Holy Communion of any hymns
prayers collects, epiStles or gospels other than
those appointed in the authorized formula of
the Church. are hereby forbidden.
Section ,. In all matters pertaining to the
public worship of the Church. to the orua-
ments, arrangements and appointments of the
Holy Table, and in everything connected with
the ritual in the rfarmapce OF Divine service
including the vestmentS TO be used about
which there is no specific direction in the Book
of Common Prayer, or the offices and ordinal
thereto appended, or in legislation, general or
dioccs n. Of this Church, the admonition or
Judgment Of the bishop of any diocese, given
in writing shall he regarded as hinding, to be
followed and obeyed b. every minister of that
diocese.
This was referred TO the Committee on Cam
onS.