The Irish standard., 1890-06-14
IRISH RITUALISM.
Canon Smith and His Explanation
at Dub lin.

4 Lament that the Irish Pro testan1
Church IL No Longer Bearing Witness
Against the Errors Rejected at the
Reformation.
Ritualis,n, which seems to be 9 bug
bear and something set up to DO de-
nounced, has been attacked by the Prot
estants at their recent synod in Dublin
in manner worthy IF comment and Of
the severest censure.
Everyone should DO given Gre dit FOX
sincerity of purpose, however extreme
may be the language employed, or how
ever offensive the sentiments expressed.
But when all possible allowance Is made
on this score, it is very plain that the
main objection to what is called Ritual
ism in Ireland is that 1t directs atten-
ton to certain Catholic doctrines, and
may still moro weaken the position Of
Professionalism in that country. It il
we'll known that Professionalism is pure
negation, denial, rejection Of doc
trines and practices, substituting and
suggesting nothing in their place.
People have wakened up to this fact.
Some have seen that logically 1t must
lead to absolute unbelief, to utter scep-
tioism. Others have endeavored to re-
cover their hold on some great promi-
nent truths, forgetting that they cannot
grasp and hold them if their is no vital
which to rest. The enemies of Ritual
ism recognize where its adherents
ought to go if they follow with docility
the lead which has been given to them.
It is case OF "the nations raging and
peoples devising vain things against
the Lord and against his Christ. :"
Their hatred of everything Catholic
blinds them to the terrible perils OF
their own situation. Anything which
might serve as crossing plank to
Romanism is execrated because of it's
possible results. The eyes are closed
obstinately to other dangers, which
even the denouncers Of Ritualism
should, on their own principles, recog-
nize to be more fearful than becoming
Catholic On the other hand, it liz very
hard to have any sympathy at least for
the ringleaders of the Ritualists. 1t is
difficult to believe in their honesty.
They, we must member, are educated
men, who may be supposed to have
made some study of the character and
grounds of the opinions which they
profess. Few men should be held re-
sponsible for full knowledge Of all the
consequences of nything they May say
or do, but professional student of any
subject must be regarded BE being aware
OF the results to which certain prin-
oiples must lead, as we'll as the prin
ciples which alone can Justify certain
acts and practices. But the discussion
at the Dublin Protestant Synod pre-
sents us with an unfavorabls view Of
those leaders. They cannot be credited
with candor, it should not be draamt
that they suffer from deficiency Of in
&elligence. It is pitsble spectacle. On
the enc hand vs. have those fanatioal
haters of the Catholic Church ready to
welcome within their ranks any one,
no matter what he is or what he pro-
fessss to believe. who will jain them in
denouncing the Pope and Catholic prao-
tioes. On tho other hand We have gen.
tlemen doing acts and putting forwa ard
opinions, which can only be justidabls
on Catholic grounds. And when taxed
with this, with being secret adhsrents
OF Popery, they shrink from the impu-
tation, and, employing what looks very
like equivooation, disown the princi-
Piles to which their conduct points.
The discussion was opened by Mr.
Mum, the solicitor of Trinity College,
- 1~3s h
Protestant Church was no longer bear
ing witness against the errors rejected
at the Reformation. The Protestant
Church should become militant
Church, and do the work done by the
missionary societies. He was Mortified
to find parochal magazine published
in Dublin which contained pictures of
St. Thomas Of Canterbury and other
saints such AS might be found in a
Roman Breviary. The Church of Ire
land should always bear constant wit
ness to the innovations whereby the
primitive faith was defaced, and which
were rejected at the time of the Refor
nation A Colonel Fo1-Grant followed,
who said that although they were sur
lOuuuoN ny ~ OSS1AS oesA o"A p oAAoy WI
not as bad as in England, where men
advocated reunion with the Pope. But
Ritualism was appearing in Dublin.
Some time ago the Protestant Defence
Association had condemned practices
without mentioning the time or the
place. But Colonel FoxGrant was do
termined to fix both. He was Mortified
at seeing the minister raise in most
os,entatious manner the cup; and he
saw Cannon Smith elevate the patan in
an undue degree.
HThe Canon told the Synod that, whom
to all outward appearance he was bow
ing to the communion table, he was not
in reality making reverence to the table
BUT towards the east, in accordance
with primitive or ancient custom of
long standing of making reverence to
the east" Ordinary people might, we
think, be excused for not being quick
to recognize the distinction. But to
show his readiness to obey his diocesan
Lord Plunkett) he bad agreed to give
this up, and would henoeforward only
turn to the east without bowling. Fur
Their, he had informed his Archbishop