The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1876-11-22
Ritualism I'm England,

RttunliSm In EnBlhuu'
From the London Telegraph ....
Rev. Thomas Pelham Dale-ons Of the
most resoluts OF Ritualists-has beer
made to feel the difference between The
dilstory pace Of the old ecclesiastical
Jurisdiction and, the accelerated pro.
cedure OF the Public Worship act. He
Is the Rector Of city church, in Foster
lane, Cheapside, belonging to two par.
ishes uuited-st. vedaSt and 81. Michael
lie Querne. BE has for a long time con.
Quoted the services Of what he probably
calls "his" church in strongly pro-
nounced "Roman" style, despite the re-
monstranees Of his congregation. He
used lighted candles during the eelebra-
ton Of the Holy Communion; he wore
abs, chasubles, maniples, and colored
stoles-yestmepts illegal in Church Of
England worship; in preparing the Sac
rament, he turned toward the east; he
knelt during the Prayer Of Conservation;
he. used water.bread, and mixed water
with the saeramental wine; he elevated
"the elements" and, finally, he fire.
quenuy made the sign Of the
Gross, kissed the page from which
the Gospel was read, and used the biretta.
Some Of these symbolical actions, atti.
tudes, and garments are derived from
primitive times, before the Christian
Church was divided; others, il Is clear,
are simply Roman Catholic ceremonies,
for some Of them have been adopted since
the Reformation. No doubt, In the eyes
Of Ritualists, this resemblance to Rome
Is kind Of virtue In itself.
But Lord Penzance, by his decision, has
now reminded Mr.. Dale that one OF the
parish churches OF the national estab-
iishment IL not kind Of clerical theatre
Of which the Rector Is the sole lessee.
His decision recalls the rights OF two
other important powets-the eongrega:
ton through IL Church Wardens, and
Parliament, representing the nation as
whole. In July last, Lord Penzance issu-
ed monition warning Mr.. Dale to desist
from the practices proved against him;
bat the RftRaliat priest took no notice OF
the Judges order. he still lighted his
candles, turned eastward, elevated the
elements, and abated no iot Of the elabo-
rate "business" he had adopted. Anew
appeal was, therefore, made to the court,
but Mr.. Dale did not condeseend 10 de.
fsnd himself; he neither appeared in per-
son nor by counsel. Il was proved that
he paid no attention 10 the order Of the
Judge, whereupon new order was made
suspending his ministrations for three
months, with an intimation that II within
that time obedience was not promised the
inhibition would be continued.
II Mr.. Dale wishes TO become martyr
he will no doubt continue to DEFY the law
and elect 10 go to prison rather than
obey Lord Penzanee. Yesterdays ser.
vice, in which all the illegal ceremonial
appears to have been employed as usual,
and ut which It was distinctly declared
that the Rector intends to persist in his
rebellion, seems TO point to this conclu.
sion. But the Ritualists have in no in
stance, rs yet, shown that kind OF cour-
age; although. they have gone as near as
they can to open contempt Of lawful au.
thority, they have always finally yielded
TO the positive commands Of the courts
This decision will, We hope, bring
the Ritualist revolt 10 decisive Issue.
We have no desire 10 "put down ritual.
ism" in itself; We simply wish 10 ex.
clude from the Church Of England illegal
and unpopular ceremonials. There Is no
apparent reason why the extreme Gath
oiic" party, as they call themselves,
should not initiate the "0ld Catholics
abroad, and form Church Of their own.
They say that their congregations are
sympathetic, II SO, they will carry their
followers with them in their secession.
They boast that the active extension
Of church building during the last ten or
fifteen years Is due TO their zeal; in that
case they can continue the process with
the greater ease. In new organization
they will be entirely free. They can de-
wise ceremonial as ornate and "a elabo-
rate as any that Rome possesses. Nun
neries, confessionals, prayers for the
dead, invocation Of saints, contraterni.
ties, reservation Of the Sacrament all can
be established without the least fear Of
from Lord Penzanoe. This
would DO . straightforward, simple, and
honorable course; but for that very rea-
son, perhaps, it will not be adopted. The
idea Of the Ritualtsts is that BY sap and
mine from within they will transform the
Church Of England into the organization
they desire. By convenient suppression
here and ostentatious exhibition there,
by mingled audacity and craft "eking
out the hide Of the lion by the skin Of the
fox, . they will hookwink authority where
they cannot defy II, cajole congregations
they cannot conquer, and trust to Sacer-
dotal perseverance for victory over lay
men more easily wearied ont.