Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1875-07-28
a lGitua1ists Church i'm LOndon.
London Letter in Phia,leluhia Press

London Letter in Philadelphia Press,
directed my steps to Brook street,
Holborn, last Sunday morning, and
came upon . quaint old church, which
according to an inscription over the
entrance, was erected ITO the glory Of
God and in memory Of st. Alban,
martyr" The pews Of this church, a.
of all ritnalistic churches are free,
and it is supported on tho voluntary
contribution plan. 1t soats about 800
persons comfortably, and very nearly
that number devontly joined in the
service, bowling, genuflecting, and
making the sign of the cross. One
side OF the church was allotted to fc-
males, and the other half to males, q
practice not unusual among ritualists.
Tho two sexes were about equally
represented. During the celebration
of the holy communion the middle
aisle fronting the altar is closed, that
no vandal may stand unabashed or re.
fusc to "crook tsAe prcguant hinges OF
the knee" before the mysterious pres
ence in the sacrament. Tho ordinary
saurs.u.s-- - 4 hts uuors, s,n
thu altar, and seven large lighted
lamps hung in front, suspended by
chains from tho ceiling about sixty
feet in length. On the wall above the
altar were very old frescoes represent
ing the nativity, baptism, cross aud
passion, and other events In the life of
the Saviour mentioned in that part of
the litany, the central figure having
inscribed underneath "By the Mystery
Of Thy Holy Incarnation, Good Lord.
deliver u.s." On the loft of the chan
eel, in front, hung a full. length picture
in of oil the Virgin and child. A largo
candle, not lighted, was placed at
either side OF the image, and at the
foot was row of seven flower pots
filed with the most beautiful flowers
of the season, the narcissus, gardinia,
lily of the valley, and double red ge-
ranium being the most prominent.
There were also bouquets crowded in
to the space at the feet of the Virgin,
and on the altar there was q profusion
of flowers. Tho face of the altar
bore the following Latin inscrip-
tion: "Delicia esse Gym Fills HON.
inum." On the walls of the church ct
various points hung printed placartl
reading thus: REV. w. Fl. Stanton
attends for confession on Saturday at
III a. m. and 2 p. m, and also at the
same hour before other days OF obli.
CATION" Another placard informed
the faithful that confession could be
heard at any time by appointment, and
it was announced that there would be
celebration of holy communion, next
Sunday morning, ate, z, S,9, and IL
o'clock.
Morning prayer having been sung
at To- ut III tho high celebration be.
gan by professional of priests,
acolytcs and choristers. At the head
OF the professional q massive crucifix
was borne, and also banner, with a
fnll-length representation Of the Vir.
gin emblazoned upon II. Then came
an acolyte, swinging the censer and
and filling tho church with incense.
After the choristers banner was car
ried, representing the Savior seated
and crowned asa king, and after Il
marched five priests wearing the
beretta, three of them vested in gor-
geous, gold.colored chasublee, the bor.
dering of which and the cross on the
back were inwOven in red and green
richly y-colOred lace and fringe being
revealed at the aides. The procession
nal moved slowly down ono aisle
and returning by tho other (the central
aisle being closed, the thrsc chausu.
bled priests stood before the altar with
their backs to tho people, tho priest Al
the altar occupying tho highest and
tho ono nearest the people being in tht
lowest place. Tho priest at the altal
alone turned his face to the people, al
at the absolntion. Tho gospel waa in
toned from q wing of the chAncel by /
priest in the ordinary surplice ani
cassock, wearing beretta, after which
the book was taken to the priest At tn,
altar. who revercntly kissed 1t. An
other priest, similarly robed in a sur
plice and cassock, preached the ser
mon from the gospel for the day re
moving his bcretta when he began Il
preach. Tho sermon was of an i'm
FASHIONED character, tho breaches
dwelling on the power and glory o
the Comforter through the sacrament
Of the church. Tho celebrant or prics
at tho altar was DR.. Mackonochio, ant
his servers of the sacred element
were the two other chasublcd priests
no acolytes approaching the altar, al
though tho acolytes would at time
range themselves in front, boaring th
cruciiix, gcnufect and retro. AT th
conservation majestic stiffness pre-
vailed, tho entiro congregation bow
ing their heads almost to the hassock
at their feet. The truth 10 these ritua
lists are believers in misunderstanding
"A belief which they simplify b
terming 1t the real presence. An
which they inculcato by their ritual.