, 1881-10-09
TEE RITUALISTS.

a
The case of the Rev. S. F. Green, Of Miles
Plating, the imprisoned clergyman, Is, when
considered in the amount of attention it has
excited and the distinctness with which the
lines of the parties are drawn upon it. one OF
the most Important which the Kltuallstlc
controversy In England has developed. The
Ritualistic party seem to have determined 10
make Of 1t test Of the possibility of their
extorttng federation within the Church. Ihe
ecclesiastical authorities seem equally dis
posed to make it a test OF the extent to which
the law assumed to govern clergynlen III the
Established Church in the discharge OF their
offices can be enforced against those who per
sistently violate it. The Mtualists represent
Mr.. Green as martyr for conscience sake,
and are carrying on most lively agitation
before the people oil that ground. I1le law
officers aid Bishops insist that he IS III jail
simply because JIG continues to ylolA1e re
law under which he accepted it, and TINT ms
release is conditioned Simply upon n!S CIV
ing satisfactory assurances that he VIII CEASE
to violate the law. Mr.. W. Z. Fhi!linore,
one Of Mr. Green's counsel 4aS E; pno!snea ss ~
garded from his own point OF view. alr:
Green is In prison. he says. for contempt OF
court Of 4orh Ren5anss vxN whf Rara wS eneatsd ct
o{ o{ ne ISL r"0le "S1f' coaft whic6 c6' had no no
existence and which he had no reason
to expect would be set I'D when he took Or
ders. It was set up, by parllalnent 9llls'
without the approval Of the eonyocatlons,
sence of auly bodies through WHICH the, laity
can make theinsGlyrs heard. Ills CHURCH
was ritualistic before he came into it. The
declaration OIL which :he'was arralgncd was
signed By three ,parisllonerS WHO we're only
cumbent did not knew two Of. them at all,
and tue third hardly, who only came forward
ut the instance Of The Church Association SO
that the forms of law might pc complied
with, and have not been flear.t OF since The
-bn:l Bishop who is charged with Being rs
much 4 law-breaker by omission y Nlr:
Green is Ly commission, and was ftec1Qe!t
against the accused by a secular, i'll nc w:1y
couscientiously allow that authority to con.
troll iltn in the exercise OF purely spiritual
function. Disobeytng its decisions, ne was:
inhibited-tiat is. was coriulnded by the'
same wholly SECULAR antEority-tnas nes
should cease from performing, his ttl!nty,
should give up ministering the word
and sacra1llellts-not in some particular
way, but altogether; should unfrock hlm.s
self, as it were: should lay. down at,tie M
ine tie name of tie Lord the Bishop and priests
Of his diocese had sole!nnIy given l,iM: Is
not that pretty plain interference with the
ministration of Gods Word and SACRAMENT
For disregartling this interference he is IN
prison. lie can be released it he will apol-
ogize for his contempt and take al oath to
obey the law as laid down by Lord 1'enzance,
and submit to all his Communicating Is,
that he will give up his office ard cease from On
lninistering at his command just as me
martyrs could escape the stake BY recantlng;
but he could no n.s,re fecant than tney. M otdls
some defint time and left to thcmsieyes till
they commit some new srime. Mg: Green,
never be released without rendlllg his con-
science; and, It he were release el.v wonIa ne
70 meet this peculiar difficulty. a bill has
been introduced in paramsnt "a; srh asnE aslE he I.
trouble here is Il logical outcome Of the con-
necon between Churc and Sate, xhsra ana is Of
The olscurity Of doctrinal definitions, clergy
fssl bound in sq4sesce ts cers TO o aderS The @ to
consifcr it their duty to enforce it strictly.
The controversy is adding much to the force
OF the movement in favor of dlsestaollsll-