, 1876-08-27
EPISCOPAL VESTAfENTS

.E1I16COIAA ES nj LIN Id
AS VIEWED BY l;4ATNAN.
TO the Editor ef The Tribune.
CHICAGO, Aug. 25-It seems pity that the
plain services Of the Episcopal Church cannot
be continued without the introduction Of new
practices Oh the part Of some Of the clergy. In
one OF the churches iu the western part OF our
CITY, of which the writer is member, consider
able comment has been caused lately by the
young Rector appearing at the communion ser
vice in style of Vestmcnt different from the
prevailing custom, and also by sundry other
practices in conducting the services, which, to
the eyes Of his parishioners, appear strange.
Experience shows that these things, however
small III themselves, and however proper they
NAV seem to some in theoretical view, are bad
in their effect upon any congregation when they
arc first introduced. They distract the atten-
tion OF the worshipcr, awaken the inquiry in the
mind, " Why is this change madcs" and in these
days when Ritualstc tendencies are cropping
out Ill the Church to an alarming extent, it Is
natural that any novelty in the service should
excite the suspicious Of being first
step In that direction. The result IS
that one and another quietly withdraw
their attention and support, and either JOIN
some other body Of Christians or absent Them
selves from all public religious observances'
the simplest regard for policy would dictate,
aud the spirit which caused Paul to say, II
meat nlaketh my brother to offend, Will eat no
meat as long rs the world standeth," would 1n-
f1ucnce the clergy to drop the ob]ectlonaole lea-
lures, and contine themselves to the plain ser
wees as known By us all from childhood But
no! The Objectionable features are explained
and defended on the grounds OF their historical
authority. Is it not true that the Episcopal
Church is Away. looking back. Like some one
lost in rcycrie she seems to sit with penslVe
face turned to the past while the opportunities
Of the present slip by, unimproVed. Is It not
true that, while our brethren OF other rehg1ons
bodies are awake to the living issues OF the day,
and rushing forth to reap the golden harvests,
YOU will usually find the clergy OF the Ep1sco-
bal Church holding back discussing some que5,,
ton of authority, and rummaglng with UNUSUAL
delight among the dry bones OF history:
In the case before US, our young Rector,
when it was brought to his attention that ms
course was causing two three families to stay
away from the communion, and others from
the services altogether, called lis Vestry 70
| read them long lesson in history. II Is eald
| that he appeared wcll-posted in matters OF
ritual, and showed conclusively that the various
practices to which objections had been n'aae gre
long period of lisuse, and that the authority OF
/ the ssalb and chasuble" dates back from point
of time 800 years ago. What the effect Of TINS
upon the Vestry was cannot say, out natmy M y
| Gnl0k Lndt tAc ~ unAentS "1AA =. r -,
true, Or If accented BY them as true N teGa,
ncal scse will remove the objections s. 1rom ON the nc
unntormed minds of the people. It VIII 17t: 9e
considered that the same arguments p9pln pa9pplY
so ag t. am.mSsrns as s?1Ssa ss pSe sei 81 BE-
| come more in6amed. ,>:oo.
But we are asked, How can the laymen ; Go]eee ~
to any practice within the canons wh!en tne ls
priest considers advisable to au9ps. we snt snt
told that he regulates the spiritual government ;a
Of the Church, and that the laJnSn m nave !oiee 10
only in the "temporallties 5ne PfiesL ~ = ~, =.
judge what is for the spiritual ed.eat9n oh hns ms
charge, and, consequently we oi Inc aa.9 1e. nase
no right to question or galnsay .ls Gpusae raaee
This may also be law and several nnnutso ,i'
old but it is plain Praeteal fssui had ~ w
not work well to-day. lhose wno h mas ua1 affa;rs
perience III the manasement oI ;4 cnuln 4a,ha1 4mi
realize how closely INT tSe
are the spiritual and temporal interests o. art
Church. and it Is vain toE tne Gier! - 70 ~ 1a;t
rample on the sc9sitise ieenSs oi tne
by any assumption OF pIlestty auanoftsy, h,a hov,
But we are tod asaln .naa ne &c suvu1r @ n-,,t ri r.,
charity, and not attribute wrong 10 any ,ad tha
which we do not understand. "e n G hefnre su ~.
when our young priest ooms e7ai;ne ayM att;tne.
| altar and assumes Strange Sl0FEiIils5 Atte1eAn~-