Middletown transcript., 1874-06-20

the church to suspicion and reprOach, and
alternating her members, but upon those
who persist in introducing these offensive
innovations?
These evils may be considered in a
two-fold aspect: 1st, The destroying of
uniformity Of worship and unity of feeling
among our congregations is greatly to be
deplored In the words of the report of
the five Bishops, Unless something is
done, and done soon, these diversities bid
fair to equal, if they do not exceed, those
which, at the period of Anglican Rsfor-
nation, were regarded as an evil to be
remedied, and which led to the decision
that the whole realm should have but one
use. They occasion, even now, confu-
sion, trouble, and perplexity, and these
| evils must increase as their causes are
multiplied
IF any parochial minister is at liberty
to introduce, at his own will, diversities
in the mode of conducting divine worship,
one great object of prescribed liturgy is
destroyed. Many of these innovations
are of greater moment than would be the
insertion of new rubcs in the Book of
Common Prayer. A communicant re-
moving to another parish finds himself
stranger in strange place. The hours Of
public devotion are robbed of their sweet.
ness and edifcation, and the worshippcr
retires disappointed and disturbed.
The parish, it should be remembered,
is not an independent unit: it is but
part of the Diocese; and if the Diocese is
to be united and harmonious, no rector is
at liberty to indulge his own whims and
faneies. And this is true even if the new
rites, practices, and ornaments are not of
necessity allied to corrupt doctrine.
But still graver objects lie against
much of what is known by the name of
Ritualism. Not only is the church dis
tracted and rent, the truth Of Christ is
imperiled. Practices that symbolic false
doctrine deserve the strongest consure and
condemnation. These are mainly conuec-
ted with the administration of the Holy
Communion.
"T The memorial feast is represented as
a renewed sacrifice of the Lord Jesus the
minister would exalt himself into medi-
ator between God and men; Christ is in
corporatcd with the material clements and
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protested against these dangers in charge
delivered three years ago, do not feel it
incumbent on me now to dwell upon
them at length. During these three
years, development has been rapid. Eu-
charstic alteration has been avowed and
gloried in. Private masses are defended.
1t is taught that the receiving by the
priest profits the people, even if they do
not partake themselves. Auricular con-
fession is advocated, and judicial absolu-
ton by the priest recommended; so also
are prayers for the dead and invocation of
the Virgin Mary and the saints. Indeed,
it would be hard to say what will be left
to distinguish the churches adopting this
system from those of Rome. But the
eyes of many who had been deluded by
specious sophistries are now opening and
they recoil from the brink of the precipice
to which they have been artfully conduc-
temple of God with idols =
." I would affectonately urge upon all
brethren the duty of abstaining from
aught that countenances such departures
from the simplicity of the gospel. There
should be no dallying with the deceiver.
Blindness to the true character of these
corrupt pratices is now inexcusabla In
those who watch for souls. AS lovers of
the peace of Zion, ministers should be
careful not to SOW the seeds of confusion
and discord. Obtaining their commission
from a church which was purified by fire
and blood from those soul-destroying er-
rors, and which emblazons the word Pro-
testant upon her banner, they should bo
loyal and true. If we censure those who
break the unity of the church by open
withdrawal, shall there be no condemna-
ton of these withia who, still lcleaving to
place and emolumcnt, are doing all they
can to betray her into the hands of her
enemies =? My own feelings would have
led me to avoid these remarks upon SO
painful subject, but this is no time for a
Bishop to be silent May the Lord
hear us in the day of trouble"