Smyrna times., 1874-11-04

EPISCOPAL RTTU UAIISM.-The most notable
events in the action of the Episcopal General
Convention in New York, in regard to ritual
ism, the chief subject of general interest con.
nCctGd with its proceedings, was the refusal Of
the lower house to confirm the nomination Of
Dr. Seymour to the eplscOpate OF Illinois and
the adoption on Tuesday Of new canon against
certain rituali>tic acts and practices. The ac~
ton IN DR.. Seymour ) case has been called a
victory Of the low church party, but such is not
ceded to be the fact, after analysis of the vote
However. it is no doubt true, that 80 far as
what is called rtualiSm is concerned, the mum
Der OF ritualistic EpiscOpll churches in thi.
country is quite limited. In the adoption of
the new canon against ritualistic practices, to
which we have above referred, the general
legislation proceeds on the fact that the bishop
is primarily the spiritual governor OF his dio-
ceSe. The new canon contents itself with
specifying the following examples:
a. The use of incense; b, The placing or
carrying retaining crucitlx in any part Of tho
place of public worship; c. The elevation 4
the elements in the holy communion in such
manner as to expose them to the view Of the
people as objects toward which alteration is to
be made; ; Il, Any act Of alteration of or toward
the elements OF the holy communion, such
as bOwIngS prOstratons, gennticctluns and all
such like acts not authorized or allowed by thu
rubric Of the Book of Common Prayer Ii shall
be the duty of such bishops 10 summon the
standing committee as his council of advice,
and with them to investigate the matter.
This report, unanimously made, by a com
mittee Of different views on rituasm, some Of
whom voted tor DIR. Seymour's confirmation,
has not gone as far Was anticipated by Sonr,
who would desire TO see all changes which
have Leen lately introduced in the old mod
Of divine worship abolished Ii has been a.,
cded by the English tribpnal- th,t the use Of
incense in the English Church is illegal, as
also Of the crucfx and the elevation of the Gle
ments The Episcopal Church in this country,
being independent OF the Church Of England,
must Of course settle those questions by its
own legislation. At the slne time it may be
noted that while the legislation of TIE General
Convention szbiHding upon the IPrsctces of
the clergy, it will hardly reach the opinions
and Faith Of its members Nlat church, lit is
understood requires only OF the hity belief
inthe Apostles creed, in which are recned,in
a few lines the leading facts and principles OF
Christianity. 1t permits its members to be
Calvinists or Armenians, believers or unbe
lleveTS in the real presence, or apOstOllca sue
cession; high cburchnen low, broad church
men, 1t baptizeS them either by immersion,
effusOn or sprinkling, and it admits them to
the communion on condition that they believe
in the Christian faith, repent of their sins, are
Ill cnaflty Win tnelr hclShOOTS, ahu lntenu 10
lead gody life. Hence, whatever can0ns are
passed against ritualism. the freedom of opin-
ION and belief Of the Iaity, within the limit,
above mentioned, will be in no way com
promised
The new canon has to pass the House oi
Bishops before it becomes law. 1t must also
be borne in mind that the canon, as stated by
the spokesman of the committee which repor
ted it whilo presenting mere opinion tha
certain ritualistic acts and practices are o
doubtful doctrine, by no means settles The
question or forbids the acts, but simply pave
, the way for an investigation and trial wher
they take place -BdltinI0re Suh
To this we adj the following from the New
!, York Tribune of Monday last:
. The question of ritualism again brOugh
before the ConventieG, is finally decided b.
, the adoption of canon which differs frou
that voted upon last week in omitting to speci
! as Objectionable the use of incense and present
J, ing the crucifix, and in condemning ''all othe
:, acts not authorized by the Prayer Book
y instead of "all suchlike acts" as were specific
i: :: in the canon.