New-York tribune., 1874-05-20
REFORMERS AT YORK.


which has lust closed its session in this city,
has been watched closely. not only by the
members of the venerable body from which it
is a secession, but by that outside board or
critics, thoughtful, observing men, who, them
selves members of no church organization, re-
gard oil religious movements as the most I'M
pOrtant signs and parts of passing history.
The scrupulous attention to minor points
which the Council gave in its revision OF the
prayer book must have appeared almost trivial
to such lOokers-on. 1t is not easy for the
average American to understand the weight
and tenacity with which these church forms
maintain their hold on men and women
who were taught in childhood to throw
their religious emotions into them. Whether
"the minister shall kneel with his face always
Coward the people," or whether or not the
as sign of the cross shall be made upon
"childs forehead in baptism" seems small
matter to him to occupy days and nights OF
anxious thought in religious body, in view OF
the vast and urgent needs of an unchIistian-
lied world. But on the other hand, how many
devout Episcopalans viewed aghast the sum-
mary energy with which these younger doc
tors Of the law were ranging, reforming, and
abOlishing, in a mornings session, forms ana
rubrics over whose lightest shade of meaning
the Church has pondered and disputed for
generations.
Many of the alterations and discussions
thereupon were Of interest to an outside audi
ence. There was brisk conflict Of opinion
concerning permission of the use OF the sign
of the cross to the Church one reverend
gentleman declaring it dear to him as the
token of faith by which he had lived and
hoped to die; another denouncing 1T as a
heather abominatjon, relic of superstitious
exOrcism Of evil sayOring of the dark ages. 1t
does not appear to have occurred to either of
them that their difference of opinion arose
from no truth or error. but was mere mat
ter of temperament and taste, which could
hardly justify them in laying down the law
| for a whole religious body. The vital ques-
tions of trans and con substantiation were
briefly disposed of, the Council being in har-
mOny thereupon. An odd objection was made to
the prayer for long life and prosperity for our
rulers, on the ground that they were not to be
rulers for life, but was set aside, the reverend
delegates no doubt thinking it unnecessary
economy to prescribe niggardiness in the
matters of prayers. A still Odder protest was
entered against the term THY servant" as
applied to the President of the United States
in the same prayer, it being considered open
to question whether he was always deserving
of that title. The larger meaning of the
authors of the prayer was recognized by the
Convention, however, wherein all men, both
evil and good, are held to be His servants, and
any ruler we may choose is only doing His
will while he may suppose he is selling us out
to confederacy or dealing shrewdly for his
own pocket in offices, stocks, or hOrsefesh.
The most important decision made by the
Council which touches the vital point of
Christian brotherhood was that concerning
the admission of others than members of the
Episcopal Church to the Lords Supper.
Here the broadest and most Christ-like
charity was exhibited by the new sect.
Not only members of other churches
but all who love our Divine Lord and Savior
Jesus Christ in sincerity are atfectionately
invited to partake in this symbol of brother
hood. AS secular observers, we have no con-
Germ with any sectarian distinctions save
one, like this which marks the progress
of great religious body toward that broader
humanity, that deeper sense of unity between
all men striving for true and right ends which
is the surest indication Of the advance of
Christ's teachings in their simple integrity,
untainted by dogma or prejudice.