The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-04-04
THE MARCH OF RITUALISM.
High Church Fancies of the Episcopa-
lians in the Good Quaker City.
Church Confessicnals, Chalices Decked with
Diamonds and aGold-Embroidered Watered
Silk Cope for Popular Rector.
Letter in Chicago Tribune.

The progress of ritualsm makes one of the as
tonishing pages in the history of Philadelphia
Some fifteen years ago, when the first step
toward splendid Episcopalian service was
taken in this city, it was attended with religious
war. The heart of the innovator was made
weary with persecution, the courts were ap-
pealed to to put him down, and his own congre-
cation was split up into hostile factions To-day
there are eight rituastic churches in the Episco-
pal diocese of Philadelphia. supporting service
of ornate character. The body is rapidly grow
ing, and probably will soon outnumber the low
churchmen. 1t includes much of the wealth and
social power of the town, where the Anglican ele-
ment has always been rich and strong At St
Marks 6 fsere they have extremely early celebra
tions, ssfpiiced choirs candles copes confes-
sions and chasubles it is impossible to obtain
pew for love or money. The ownership of pew in
fee gives one quite as strong claim to be consid-
cred in the best set as entrance to the exclusive
dancing assembly. One may see $4,000
worth of sealskin sacques gathered there
Of Sunday morning. The rector is the Rev.
DIR. Nicholson. He was very strongly desired to
sccept bishopric in Indiana, but he preferred
to remain where he is. All the ritualstic faith
DR.. Nicholson among tAe rest, and the parish
school of st. Marks is the largest in town. 1t
was recently desired to increase the capacity of
the school building, and $25, 900 was required for
the purpose. The next Sunday, when the collec-
ton was taken up, the wealth of the congrega-
ton was strongly indicated for the offering Of
the one day was $27, 600. Afternoon services, or
what the worldly call 'Dr. Nicholson's matt
neesr are held nearly every day at during
lent DR.. Nicholson has spiritual mediiations
that enthusiastic young women declare are SIM
ply ecstatic. The matinees are attended gener-
ally by ladies' I should be glad to wager that
no congregation elsewhere in the world can show
30 many lovely faces, sparkling eyes, and high
bred and graceful figures. One has only to get
glimpse of these gatherings of superb woman
hood to know why even the aristocratic and
frigid Philadelphia will become familiar and
genial when one begins to talk to him Of femi-
nine beauty.
Up at st. Clements, the pioneer church of rt
ualism in Philadelphia, they go in rather
strongly for hard work The congregation is
notable mixture of the very rich and swell and
the very poor and lowly Mrs. Lawton. form
erly Mrs. Bergman. MacAllister, who was
one of Mrs. McElroy's intimate friends and fire.
guently assisted at the White House receptions
during Arthur's administration, is prominent
member of st. Clements. Her first husband who
L
the Belgian legation. Another prominent mem
Der is Mrs John p Brock who is we'll and de-
lightfully known in society. She is very wealthy
and her gifts to ecclesiastical objects are very
munifcent. Mr.. and Mrs. j. Dundas Lippincott
are also prominent pew-holders They have
millions at their disposal, and are in the front
row in the fashionable set. Mrs. Edwin H.
Hopkins, who was Stockton, of New Jersey
gives of her fortune with generous hand. Be
sides these there are Mrs. Hall and her wealthy
son. w. Coleman Hail. Mr.. and Mrs. Ellis Var
NALL Mrs. Holsman, Mr.. and Mrs. Erban, Mr.
and Mrs. G. Theodore Roberts, with big
fortune got in iron Mr.. and Mrs B. F. Hall,
Henry Handlers, the learned author of legal
books, and Mr.. and Mrs. Ravinus.
The rector is the Rev. Father Maturin,
bright and clever Englishman. HIS father
an Anglican minister, and he has two brothers
who are also in the English establishment. He
is particular friend of Bishop MeLaren. of
Illinois, who has preached at St Clements.
They say that the services at st. Clements are
thehlghest in Pennsylvania, but shall not at
tempt to draw lines between it and st. Mark S.
For a long time Bishop Stevens, the head Of the
Episcopalian diocese here, who does not take
kindly to rituaism, would not visit the church
Peace has been made with him, however, and
the other night he confirmed there the largest
class that knet before him for year. The rev.
erend fathers Of ST. Clements on that occasion,
however, laid aside the splendid banners and
other paraphernalia that ordinarily make their
services so notable. Out of respect for the godly
refrained from the use of incense in their public
celebrations except in the procession of the
guilds under their direction Incense is freely
used, however, at the private services in which
the guilds and confraternities take part and on
these occasions the air of the little side chapel is
heavy with the fragrant smoke rising in clouds
from golden thuribes.
The Altar Society of ST. Clements has in it
some of the prettest girls to be seen anywhere.
And their skill with the needle is amazing. They
can do anything from the sleeve of rochet up
to the gold thread-work of ante pendulum.
Father Maturin wears watered silk cope at
high celebrations so heavily embroidered in gold
that it is valued at 5000. 1t is the work of one
OF the young ladies of his Altar Society. There
are many other vestments equally beautiful as
examples of women's work. if not so costly, aud
there are banners for the churchs many socie-
ties that stiff with geld thread in the most
exquisite designs. The altar plate, so far as it
goes is probably the finest owned by any Epis-
copalian Church IN the United States 1t is
nearly all of silver and gold, and in some cases
is incrusted with jewels. Father Maturin
and his assistants are all Englishmen. cell
bates. and members of the order of
ST John the Evangelist, whose mother
house is at Cowley ST. john near Oxford. Eng
land kThe head of the order is the Rev Father
Benson, who is well-known to the few survivors
Of the famous tractarian movement He gave to
st. Clements a communion chalice of silver in
laid with gold and thicky studded with rare and
precious stones. The Jewels were presented to
Father Benson's dead wife by an Indian prince
At Mrs. Bensons death they came into the hands
of her husband. and he entering the monastic
order, devoted them to the purpose which they
are now fulfilling. wealthy member of the
congregation has also presented to the church
costly chace of silver and gold, gemmed with
diamonds and sapphires. These precious treas
ures are kept in big iron vault, and are careful
ly guarded They are brought to light on great
festival occasions. when the spectacular beauty
of the services, heightened by the music of
choir and orchestra on which SO, 600 or "a 900
year is spent. affords fitting frame for their
display.
Father Maturin, by sign posted in the vesti-
bule announces that he is in church Saturday
afternoons for confessions He is kept very busy
on these occasions, for young ladies have trust
IN him that they especially after the experience
of one of their set. could hardly repose in a man
of family. These lovely nenitents glowing with