New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-12-07
FORMS AND CEREMONIES.

EOhAlD AMI bIShI@AhOA'AH'S'
AN ANSWER TO "IAYMAN THE MEANING AMI
PURPOSE OF CERTAIN oBsERvANCEs IN THE
EPISCOPAL SERVICE.
To the Editor OF The Tribune.
SIR: In recent TRIBUNE "Layman asks
questions which he wishes some rector to answer l
wonder why he did to his own PASTOR or TO the
clergyman whose ways seemed unusual rather than 10
tho columns q secular paper But DC did not, ana as
remember n great Syrian layman learned some
thing OF little maid think would like - try to tell
the gentleman what any enid in our sunday-school
could tell him az well. What do these cere-
monies meant They worship, reverence,
sense. returning to the good old paths when'
as the apostle commanded Things "done decenty
and IN order"
"Layman" visited last August country church
where the clergyman o. said the LtanY outside and IN
front OF the chance with his back 20 tho conTegation
2 knelt IN front ustead Of at ia. side Of the commun
on-table; 81 in the Glorias and Assumptions turned
toward the communion-table; a. in offering the aims
OF the congregation, elevated the aimsbastn before
placing 1t upon the table. Aud "Llyman" wishes 10
know he meant by thus doing. II inew the adj
dress ~ Layman," might send MN dozens OF penny
leaflets, tracts and band-bOoIs which hi and like
difficulties answered: and n he is per-
pIexed II he would like to study little the meaning
OF beautiful church services. his easier way would
be to send to some caurch bookstore for one
OF the thousands Of the cheap little explanatory books
which have been published during the last fifteen years.
both England and America. From such little book,
published twelve years ago, quote IN answer TO the
first filculty Bee the Lit'ny is penitenal
Service and for this Is the st fit Place. The
good Book says Let the DRESS, the ministers Of tie
Lord weep between the porch, the altar and let them
say. Spare Inv people, o Lord! The priest also de-
scends IO the body Of the church his people, 10
show that less than Ia. people, he has neet 10 de-
plore his sins" Again: |" The altar service being the
highest Office OF the Church, Is said cOrrespOndngy at
the highest place the offices Of morning and evening
prayer. being next Importance, said In choir,
which Is on a lower level Than the sanctuary in all
properly constructed churches; while the LIany, being
an office third aud lowest In Importance, Is said from
place even lower than tie choir" But why with his
back the peopel The obvious reason IT, Because In
the Ltauy he is not addressing the people but God"
In a. swcr the second difficulty, let me quote from
one Of our American rIureh papers under so recent
da az November q 1873 Prayers and Grias said
lacing st. for til Chm on gave her reason for this
whcu IN 1901 she gave her Orna reply 10 the Purtans
no wish d the prayers said To the people. Her rep y
was miss uiniser 10 the people Is not most
convenient When H. speaks TO Them as IN Lessons. Alb
Benedict on, It Is convenient that he turn to
THIN, when speaks them to God 1t bt that
tucy should all lufn one V y, as the ancient
in front instead Ot the side e. Layman means
endl Of the cOmmunOn-tablet Two reasons are given
in books and leaflets The rubrical phrase south or
right side j. technical phrase translation from the
Latin rubrc, which from time immcmOral has meant
the pte part Of the front OF the altar For me altar
has always been divided mro the midst where
the solemn part of the service Is SAID the left
or north slde apprO lrlted, the sake OF dignity,
solely the Gospel, and the right south side up-
pIOpriatcd tao cpistlc. post-CummuuUu ana other
suburuuate parts OF toe service" The place where
LAyman " won have TIA, priest stand Is not techni
cally side" at all II Is known as tue north end
There wa, a brief time when the Anglican altar was
placed N The chance with OF lis narrow euus toward
the people. At that time the ruDrlc commanded th"
priest " stand facIns the north sde" e. WIN
hIs back 10 tine norm and face TO the sOuth-tHus
biz rigut snoddef would be toward the people ana ne
would stand the front north SHE, IN Laymans
the sl-c," Instead vi at the eud OF the
altar Wuen, shortly BtrrWa H. the dltas were restored
TO their present position, tue ruOrc remaining I'M
onanga I'd, tho priest standing at the side ~
commanded bTOuglt around so that, FACING tue
Altar, his back was toward the people
g. Inc priest the east at GlUlas and ASSUMPTIONS
according to IN lmmcuIOril custom peculiar TO the
Anglican pIrt OF Tue CnurCh.
4. Why should the priest not elevate slightly the aims
basIn the to the word, with silent or
loW-whls pray the ru0rc commands, ne shall
humOly present ANA place II upon the Holy Table Y lie
smply " presents" IL TO God hrst aud then places II
up IN the altar" good OishOp OF day, woo Is at the
head uf divinity school, had vsitOT, who with
him attended chapel OF the school Atter
service the visitor said, Bishop, ia IL possible
allow these young turn toward tue altar in the
greedy " Did tuey urn" replied the bishop. Z" did
not notice engaged In saying the creed myself"
Ver6uH sat sdpientL LATWOMAh
Brooklyn, Nov. 20. 1873.