The Wilmingtonian., 1882-09-23
WILMINGTON, DEL, SEPT. "a, 1852.
Tractarianism,

Acab
Edward Pusey, one of its most profound
scholars, and the higA church of England
which party DR.. Pusey was the most able
exponent has lost its acknowledged leader.
DIR. Pusey was born in the year 1900, was
educated at Eaton. and after the resignation
of DR.. Newman of the vcarage of st. Marys
Oxford, he became the successor of DR.. I
Newman in 1916. The oxford tracts, pub
lshed at Oxford in the year 1888, gave the
name to the new movement "Tractarianism'
The immediate origin of the movement ap-
pears to have been the alarm aroused for
the interest of the English
church on the occasion of the suppression
by the reform government of some of the
Irish Sees, and, threatened alienation of
Irish church property. 1t is said about
that time meeting of clergyman took
place at Hadley, in Suffolk, at which meas
ures were concerted for opposing the allie
ged latitudinarian tendencies of the day,
and restoring the high church theology of
the Anglican of the 18th Century. The
chief promoters of the movement were Rev.
j. Ii. Newman and DR.. Pusey. The tracts
were issued anonymously, and produced
great effect especially among the clergy
Protestant principles were openly discoun-
tenanced and, tenets closely resembling
those of the church of Rome were bodily
put forward. The doctrine of apostolic
succession, priestly absoluton, baptismal
regeneration, the real presence, the author
ity of the church, and the value of tradition
which had long lain hid in the language of
the prayer book. These teachings made
great stir throughout the English church,
and the evangelical portion of the church
were greatly alarmed for its safety. The
ablest of English Divines entered into dis
cussion of these subjects through the press,
and denounce them as Romish, and perni-
cious. Thes movement advanced, notwith-
standing the general opposition with which
itmet, until it accumulated in the publica-
tion, by the Rev. j. H. Newman of the
tract No. 80, which was designed to show,
that much Roman doctrine might be held
consistently with subscription to the thirty
nine articles. The was received with great
condemnation, and led to termination
series, to the resignation by Mr. Newmaa of
the Vicarage of st. Mary's, Oxford, and
subsequently to his secession, in 1916, to the
church of Rome. In this step he was fol-
lowed by many of his friends and associates
The effect of this movement was to strength
en- the high church party, which still main
tains the principles advocated in the tracts.
Side by side with the revival of Romsh
doctrines there has been the developement
of ritual. The tractarian movement was
easily marked by the introduction of vari-
alterations in the mode of performing di-
vine service, such as the use of the surplice
instead of the gown, intoning the prayers
and singing the responses, the elevation of
the communion table into an alter, and the
priest turning his back to the people. The
The views of DR.. Pusey were not without an
Influence in our own country, and it was
soon apparent that the clergy of this land
were tinctured with the same Previous to
the tracts of DR.. Pusey the P. E. Church
was evongercal, or low church, but now the
high church party prevails, There was con
siderable discord between the high and the
low church party in this country, but the
battle was lost by the low churchman
Bishop Cummins and his associates finding
it impossible to bring about reform in the
church, and desiring to save the low church
element from destruction withdrew from the
P. E. Church to organize the Reformed Epis
Church. This church was organized in the
year 1873, and it has since grown with
marked rapidity. 1t is living protest
against ritualism, and is destined to absorb
what remains of the low church They re-
tain the prayer book purged of all Romish
germs, wear simply the black gown and fell
lowship with ministers and christians of
other denominations.