The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-11-23

N 1874 the Public Worship Act was
passed, to put down "mass in masquer-
AIDE the Ritualists did not believe that
it would do them much damage. They
resolved to oppose it to the uttermost and
TO refuse to obey decisions of courts or
canned under it, expecting to be able to
turn the results to their own account, by
showing that it was nothing more than a
campaign ofpersecution organized by one
school IN the Church against another,
which, historically, had the stonger basis
OF the two. In the case of Mr. Tooth,
the first to be imprisoned for violation of
the Act, the Anglo Catholic party enjoyed
a certain triumph. The Queen ordered
him released, expressing her regret that
any one in her kingdom, in this age of
the world, should suffer imprisonment for
conscience sake, and a great deal of
sympathy was gained for him and the
cause he represented But, after brief
lull, Lord Penzance was given other
cases to try, and several clergymen have
since been in prison, and the Public Wor-
ship Act and the new Court both stand.
after the courts of last resort (the Priyy
Council and the House of Lords) have
valnly been appealed to- as constitutional
and effectual
The law thus standing sure, the Church
Association still determined to compel its
observance, the bishops willing to initiate
prosecutions, the Queen deaf to further
appeals from imprisoned clergymen, Rit-
uallsm seems to be fairly coralled. The
Rev. S. F. Green has been in prison
several months, and, after every effort of
his friends to obtain his release has failed.
the Archbishop of York tells them that
Mr.. Green's cell is locked on the inside.
The key is held by the Ritualists. and
was used, too, IN the case of Mr.. Dale, of
LONDON one of the most persistent of
offenders, before the prison-door was
shut on him, now in peaceable possession
OF small country parish, neither making
trouble nor being troubled.
Convinced, perhaps, of the hopeless
ness OF carrying on warfare against such
odds, some Ritualists have been consider
ing In Conference in London what can be
done IN the way of concession. Tile
Chetrch Times announces the result as an
Eirenlcon, which opens with this con-
LESSON If it were not for our brethren
who are still in the hands of the Philis-
tines we should be content never to
mention the legislation of 1874" Then
follows this sentence, which seems to be
somewhat harsh for an "Eirenicon".
AS 1t is, we are in the position of set
tiers who have beaten off a horde of saw
ages, but who have to deplore the fate of
three or four of their number who have
fallen into the clutches of the assailants."
hltuallsts, however, are in the habit of
using strong language toward their breth-
rem OF the Church Association, and we
need not stop to comment bpon it. What
is more essential is that this Conference.
composed of men of whom The Church
Times says 1T would be impossible.to
suggest names of greater authority.
whether as regards Catholic doctrine or
Catholic ritual" declared that, though
the Prayer-book "retains many vestiees
OF the foreign Protestant influence which
effected the revision of 1852" Church
men are bound to accept them" This is
concession of no small significance, and
the natural outcome of it was that ga
considerable number of Ritual practices
that are very commonly met with receive
neither encouragement nor sanction in
the report. " The astonishing comment
OF the Church Times on this is that ex-
IRENE Ritual has been as effectual in
keeping people away from Church as in
attracting them. The Conference further
agreed that incense should be given up.
AS this is one Of the six points commended
for, its abandonment, if the report of the
Conference should be adopted, means the
complete surrender of Ritualism. for the
SIX points stand or fall together. The
Ritualists have never admitted that in
cense was less binding on their conscience
than waters, or altar-lights, or mixed
wine, etc.
These statements and the Conference
that made them would fall under sus-
picion were it not that the organ of the
!Ritualists, THE Church Times, gives the
information to the world and vouches for
the high and representative character of
the Conference. Still it seems hard to
believe. Are the rank and file of the
Anglo Catholic party ready to make such
concession ?-Independent.