New-York tribune., 1874-11-07
THE INTEGRITY or FORMS.

Secular observers have little occasion to
Obtrude opinions on the deliberations Of
religious bodies such as the Episcopal Con-
venton recently in session, unless when they
themselves are the object OF the deliberations.
The forms and ceremonies of any church,
Ritualistic or not, are surely intended not
only as an expression of devotion by the wOr-
shippers, but an expression of religious truth
for the benefit of the spectators. The specta-
tors have the right to ask, at least, that the
expression of the truth be genuine and dlgnl-
fed. Any attempt at the utterance of re-
ligious feeling by form or color addresses
itself to men and women of sensitive, sensu-
GUS tastes, who are more apt to be offended
han influenced by such appeals, if badly
managed. long train of whte-rObed AGO.
lytes, for instance, is impressive, and suggest
i've of the innocence AMI purity OF those who
serve daily in spirit at the altar of Christ.
But when the robes are ill-ftting and the
black trousers and muddy boots project
aggressively into view, that effect is certainly
destroyed. ChOirs of boys, too, can
be made effective, not only in actual
musical performance, but in the implied
meaning of the freshness and untainted
feeling with which they praise God. But this
is only done when, as in England, church
music is made the chief occupation of the chill
dren, and much time and patience can be do
voted to their instruction. A party of ill-dis-
ciplined, shrill voices gallOping through one Of
the magnificent triumphant anthems, or tho
terrible supphcations for aid of repentant
soul in the Episcopal or Catholic church
services, is q thing which neither angels nor
Ip en- can endure. The soul, in spite of POpe's
dlctum, will not mount upon jig to Heaven.
The same objection applies to all other care
less attempts to excite devout feeling by ap-
peals to the senses. Whether those attempts
are proper or not in themselves is not the
question. To plain common sense 1T would
seem that if devout feeling can be reused in
certain people by music and lights and drap-
cry of purple or fine linen, it is only fair that
those people should be reached in their own
way; only let the music not degenerate into
lifting clamOr, or the linen be smirched and
baggy. If Art be called on to help Nature.
let it be true, pure art, not gaudy pinchbeck
imitation. The churches in this cOun-
try which resort to these extraneous aids
ought to remember that they have disad-
vantages of which Europeans know nothing.
The pomp or grand ceremonial which in the
Peters or Westminster Abbey thrills the soul.
appears tawdry show in new painted, glar-
ing church. True, our hearts ought to be
lifted above the ceremony to its meaning; but
why, then, the gaudy show . Again, we would
hint that if the vast sums which might be ex-
pended in preaching the Gospel to those who
know it not are to be spent on massive piles
of stone and stained glass along our CITY
streets. to teach us to worship the LORD IN
the beauty of holiness" the beauty ought to
be q more certain thing than at present. Iho
worsbin of the Lord expressed IN some OF the
architectural monstrosities in this and other
cities is exceedingly doubtful.
We make these rem0nstrances III all ear
nestness and sincerity When religious
teacher appeals to us simply and directly
through our reason or emotions, 1t would Do
boorish ill-breeding in us to crtlcise the cut OF
his coat or the build of his chapel. But as
soon as he makes the beauty of that chapel
OF the shape of his coat the means by which
he would influence us, it is our duty to tell
him wherein and why they fail. An artist
puts his idea into canvas and colors, ana inc
public at once become his critics and Judge;
an actor throws his into mimic presentment
before tho footlights, and we are occupied In
criticising every movement and denouneins
every apparent trick. AS soon as religious
faith is dramatized or presented to the world
as picture rather than an intangible trutn'
wo are justified in quarreling with the picture
if il ia carelessly painted, or with the drama
il it is badly played
The mora truth and nature which tho art,ss
nuts into Lila touch tha uara IL he sure al