The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-05-23

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own country, % aud. utter EXPLAINING that it
is not rituaIism, d snch, that odends ana
alarms, for all are itualssts, but the ques-
ton With as Is onebf degree. he proceeds
in these words 80 Bit if.as we have stated,
the question is simply one Of degree. how IS
The proper gradnatini TO be settled! The
authoritative, rule is pund in the Book oil
Common Prayer as rtified by the GenerHi
Convention and what has beenthe general
usage under that directory To any r1tu-
alism so recognized aud sanctioned no one
may Justly object but Beyond the license
thus Indicated begins excess, which, being
once outside the legitimate, may run riot In
any amount OF extrayagance which the fam
cy or the folly of the individual affects
such as the use offadng flowers cut On
from their root to symbolic resurrection
to life, groups OF uariegatedty.vested aud
ARrrsT1cALLY-ArT1rUDI PRIESTS
to observe the sacrament Instituted with SO
much simplicity in the upper chamber ID
Jerusalem-pictorial representations OF the
scenes and sculptural images OF the saints
of Scripture; dramatic exhibitions OF the
affecting. events Of Passion-Week; even
their consummation at Calvary-anything
and everything which sentmentalism or SUI
'perstition may crave to crafty its morbid
appetite. Thus churches are changed into
exhibition balls; the people lose their
spirituality in Sightseeing. and become
mere eazers instead OF cody .worShippers.
SO it has been, as the history OF the Church
sadly testities. The tendencies are still the
same. Tie proclvitY OF the natural neart
is to externalism III religion. so, there
fore, it win be again II legal limits are dis
regarded and every one Is left to introduce
such innovations as are pleasing 10 hlni-
SELF" ,..,..... d, ~
This part Of the Bishops address, says
Bishop Whittle, was referred to commit
tee consisting OF seven clergymen and SIX
Iaymen, who reported three resolutions,
which were unanimously adopted Dy the
Council. The second OF these resolutions
was as follows: ....
"That in view OF these novelties, which
disturb the peace OF the Church and wound
the conSciences of 80 many Of both the clcr-
gy and laity, and Of the difficulty Of arrest
ing innovations originating from small
beginnings in ornaments, decorations, or
otherwise, and Of returning to the
simplicity OF worship after the same has
been departed from, it be earnestly rccom-
menGed to The clergy. church wardens, and
yestrles strenuously to resist the introduce
ton OF any changes in the forms and modes
or conducting public worship and admin
isInring the sacrcments, as the same were
used in the Church Of England aud our
own before the rise OF tractarianism and
ritulalism."
In the month OF April, 1877, I was for
maly and officially appealed 10 by two mem
bcrS 0! tie yeStry Of church in the diocese
to intcrpose and prevent the introduction
into the Church OF
FLOWERS, ALTAR-CL0THS, &C.,
which were an offence to some OF the pco-
pie, and were producing discussion and d,-
vision in the vestry and congregation. What
was to reply to this appeal? That it was
none OF my business? or that had no au-
thority to interfere in such matters? |
thought it was expressly and emphati-
ca!iy my business; that the very nature and
purpose OF my Office made it my duty TO in
teriere in such matters, and that was SOL
EMMY bound by my conservation promises
and vows faithfully and feariessly TO perform
that duty. gave my judgment In the pre-
misses, which was promptly, and believe
cheerfully, acquiesccd in 10y all The parties
concerned.
While this case was pending the Council
met in May: 1877, and | spoke in my aG-
dress as follows:
Here follows the Bishops. address, al
ready publlshed.]
This was printed $1,000 copies end dis
tributed throughout the diocese.
It selected 1.-THE Council], says the Bishop,
the portion have just read. and ordered
5000 copies to be printed and circulated,
thus endorsing and approving the position
had taken and the views had expressed,
Il i;,,,r tbar 70 ri ito
to the churches.
The action OF the Council on the two oc-
casions which have mentioned ought, in
nv Judgment, to have been accepted by
every loyal minister, vestry, aud member Of
the Church as final. And so it was by the
large majority OF The clergy and laity OF the
diocese, no matter what may have been
their own nriyatc views and wishes. But
BY some it was understood differently, for
in June. 1877, complaint was made to me
by d member OF the yeStry OF Grace church,
Richmond, CT
INNOVATIONS BEING MADE IN GRACE CHURCH,
RICHMOND,
OF the kind before mentioned. and in re-
gard to which the Council had taken action
but month before. AS in duty bound, |
sought an interview with the rector, Rev.
H, NJ. Jackson, which, however, in consc-
quence OF my other engagements, was not
had until December. That interview was
mutually cordial and atfcctionate, and on
my part certainly entirely satisfactory. lie
did not question my authority TO interpo>c
in such 4 case, and when my Judgment was
pronounced he declared his purpose to be
governed by it. '-
About the same time addressed TO scEe-
raj OF nv brethren Of the clergy amongst
whom were the lale DR.. Woodbridge, then
rector OF the Monumental church, Rich
mond, and Rev. Dr. Barten. then and now
rector OF Christ church, Nor1olk,l com
munication, OF which the following Is Il
copy. Then follows the letter already pup
lishcdl:
In consequence ola slight misnnder-
standing, the Rev. Mr.. Jackson did not
comply with my Judgment IN regard
TO the innovations in his church unit! Feb
ruary last, when he called on me, and the
misunderstanding was removed. TINS last
interview between him and myself led to
my asking and obtaining q conference with
him and his yestry, which was pleasant and
satisfactory, and at their req uest that |
would put my counsel and judgment in wri-
ting addressed to them 4 letter, q copy OF
which vii! be presented hereafter. wish
10 add lhat it affords me pleasure to be able
to make this honorable mention OF my dear
Brother Jackson and his vestrv.
THE MONUMENTAL CHURCH.
The day before the conference Just re-
ferred to I wrote note to Rev. j. G. Arm
strong. rector Of The Monumental church,
Richmond, respectfully calling his attention
70 t,n Of