The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1874-11-14
THE RITUALISTIC CONFLICT.
From tie Christian Leader.

from tie Christian Leader.
Nor do we think that even the adoption
of the vigorous Canon reported by the
Committee will in any wise close the strug-
gle. 1t is hard to rub out figures, and
when we see with what strides Ritualism
has advanced in the face of all opposition,
we need not hastily conclude that the
action, however strong, of what after all is
majority will at once cut off a movement
which has attained SO hearty growth.
The proposed Canon will carry great weight
certainly. The mere enumeration of the
Ritualistic practices at which it is aimed
will do much to condemn them in the light
Of common sense and Christian dignity.
They declare against the use of incense;''
the placing, or carrying, or retaining of
a crucifix in any part of the place of wor-
ships: 1.-THE elevation of the elements in
the Holy Communion in such manner as
to expose them to the view of the people
as objects towards which alteration is to be
made y" such as bowling, prostrations,
genut1exions, and the like; and they pro-
vide for investigation and trial in respect
to such practices. The establishment of
such Canon, we say, will be very seri-
GUS obstacle in the way of RitHalistic pro-
gress, and we earnestly hope that the de-
bate which is going on as we write will
result III the planting, at least by strong
opinion, of this straight, indubitable, up
and. down barrier. But we still think that
the Ritualistic weed will not be plucked
up, nor trampled down, nor burned out in
any such speedy and simple fashion as
many seem to think it will be. 1t has not
grown without cause, and it will not die
except the root be killed. To our mind
Ritualism is very natural phenomenon.
The Episcopal Church has been dragging
about body of death for years. Its sys-
tenn, asking nothing of its priests and
granting nothing to its people, has tended
to spiritual starvation. And the very
means by which it has sought to keep
intact that "unity" which it mistakes for
oneness in Christ, have directly crushed
The buds and snapped the twigs of growth,
have cut off the only healthy life that is
possible,-the life that lives according to
its own, best law. But it were impossible
to annihilate the energy that God has
planted in all human souls. What them
Only this: A force that was not permitted
to go forth to its true objects lavished itself
upon what it found within reach. The
Church declared that it possessed all truth;
it fixed all truth in formulares, and said
there could be none other than these The
only room for growth was in symbolism,
AID symbolism was seized upon, Much of
the warmest vitality in the Church has
poured itself out in this direction, and
Ritualism has grown powerful its appetite
increasing proportionately with the extent
of its indulgence. We do not believe that
it can be slain by a Canon. When the
Episcopal Church can offer freedom and
nourishment to souls of men according to
their need, then, and not till then, we shall
look for the incoming of the real spiritual
life and the sweeping away of this shadow
of death whereby God is hidden, and the
hearts of his children are deceived with
signs and mo cked with effipies.