Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-10-09
Episcopal Convention.
For the Dispstcb.l

Tho proceedings Of this body can hardly
fail 10 attract public attention. THIS tri-
ennial council has under consideration
matters that concern the weli-0oing and
almost the existence Of that branch OF tho
great Catholic Church, once tho estab-
hshed Church Of our land. The confoli-
da ion IN one apparently harmonious
whole OF so many discordant elements.
congregatinC so many members of widely
different views representing parishes and
di0ceses Of diversified usages, prectices,
and perhaps unRckuowledged differences
in doctrine. indicate n brca lness that
might almost embrace in this communion
every known sect
The growth Of ritualism and nstheticism
has boen 90 uninterrupted and so extern
sive that any simplicity in service IS now
the exception. In our own State the con-
servatism that distinguishes our people IN
everything is especially consplcuousln the
Episcopal Church, AID tmemOerS OF our
Virginia churches hardly recognize Their
old liturgy IN other cities north and south
of Us.
Prominent among the subjects for dis
CuSslOn IN the present ScSslHu 10 Aul bHSA
change Ia the prayer-bOok.
In Bishop Paret's outlines OF the WORK,
published some days since, he said he
revision of the prayer-book will also re-
celye much time and consideration. Inc
conservative caretulnesS OF the Churcn
and the wisdom of 10 have been notably
proved bv her action IN this matter. tier
jealousy for the treasures OF her lturglcal
Inheritance has made her careful of every
word. Aud the fact that with so many
wears and successive conventions of de-
Liberation on this work, the changes &C
complished are SO very few, and touch not
one point of doctrine or important ritual.
il a grand testimony to the wOndrouS *
cellence of the prayer-boOk as 1t was aud
as il is. Il is understood that with TINS
convention the work OF revision will come
TO an end. and the standard praycr-bOok
will be published
1t is very much 10 be hoped that BISHOP
Paret's expectations NAV be realized ana
that the pray err book may not be tempered
with. for it IS very beautiful, very lnstruc-
tive. and very full of the deepest deyo-
ton. But Il ia not reasonable 10 believe
that the rltuallstic party VIII De eaSliy
satisfied on this score. IL was touched
very daiutlly three years ago, but the
lovers Of the ornate. o. well "a the real
rituaistS who seek 10 eNalt the prlesthoou
and gather around them IN" IaIaDHeI-
nalia of peculiar sanctIty aud authority,
now feel their strength and VIII seek TO
uerpctuate their views and prtuclples by
ENGRAVING them upon the BOOK OF COM
mon Prayer.
The conservatives look upon oil these
changes this increasing demand Tor cere-
mOuials and aesthetic practlce-as de-
parture from the simplicity OF Cbrists re-.
/ lglon and evidence OF the growth OF
worldliness in the Church. Some twenty
/ years ago these dangerous tendencies
! carried off quite q large numper Oh
/ the ministers and lalty, body now known
| as the Reformed Episcopal Church, and II
! extremists push their views much farther
! II NAV lead to moro serious division.
| Missionary work with the colored race
| is one Of the subjects for consideration.
and. as usual IN everything relating 10 the
negro, It s hard Of solution. he doesn
take to the Episcopal style. There Is too
much dignity and too little sensation.
fl the rubrlc could be so altered as -
allow pretty hearty shouting and band
shaking instead of the chant 1t would pet
ter SUIT his emotional nature.
! TherepOrt OF the secretary OF the Foreign
and Domestic Missionary Society shows a
gratifying increase IN the membership OF
! tins church. The number Of communicate
reported IN the whole country IN 1880 Wa
| 1881. which had increased IN 1871 10 80,
2sS, or nearly seyentOld.