Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-07-17
GLAnsTONr On RIrI1AIIs,r

as the Church of England Worth
Pressrving?" is the title of an article
by Mr.. Gladstone in the current mum.
Der of the Contemporary ReUieig. a
considerable portion of the article is
devoted TO a view of the controversy
which has been raging in the Church
lately with regard to the legality OF
the Eastward position" and other
questions of ritual. In this connection
he refers to the criticisms which his
article on Ritual and Ritualism" gave
rise to, and remarks that he had no in
tention Of endeaToring to settle the
disputed points, but simply to take
them out of the field of polemics, and
substitute for the temper of the bat
tle-feld the temper of the chamber.
Were the question one between his
tOrical Christianity and systems op-
posed to Or divergent from it, he could
not, he says, honestly profess that he
did not take a side; but as regards
ritual or the exterior forms Of divine
worship, he had never at any time
been employed in promoting its extern
sion, and had never engaged in any
either of its general or It's local con-
troversies.
Reverence, he says, is a thing indis-
pensible and invaluable; but reverence
is one thing and ritual another; and,
while reverence is preserved, he would
never quarrel with his brother about
ritual. On this ps1nt he advises both
sides to cease altogether, or at least
reduce to its mimimums5he practice Of
importing intoquestions concerning the
externais of religion the element of
devotional significance.
He sums up the arguments for and
against the eastwai position, and de-
duces from them the opinion that we
should steadily resolve not to annex to
any particular act of external usages a
special dogmatic Interpretation, so long
rs they viii naturally and unconstrain
ely bear some sense not entailing that
consequence. The contentious of both
parties, he alleges, are perfectly capa-
lie of being explained and supported
upon grounds having no reference to.
the doctrine. His conclusions are:
q. The church of this great nation
Is worth preserving, and for that 50
much may well be borne.
-. In the existing state of minds
and Of circumstances, preserved it can
not be if we shift its balance of doctri-
nal expression, be it by an alteration of
the Prayer Book (either way IN con.
tested points, or be 1t by treating rubri-
cal interpretations of the matters here
tofore most sharply contested on the
basis Of '1Octrinal significance
"3. The more We trust to moral forces
and the less TO penal proceedings
(which are to a considerable extent ex-
elusive one of the other the better for
the Establishment, and even for the
Church.
II. If litigation is to be continued
and to remain within the bounds of
safety it Is highly requisite that it
should be confined to the repression of
such proceedings as really imply IN
faithfulness to the national religion.
SIS. In order that Judicial decisions
on ceremonial may habitually enjoy the
large measure of authority, fnaiity and
respect which attaches in general TO the |
sentences of our courts, it is requisite
that they should have uniform regard |
to the rules and regulations of full |
historical investigation, and should if |
possible allow to stand over the future |
matters iusuficiently cleared rather |
than decide them upon partial and |
evidence"