Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1892-12-28
Mass in the Episcopal Church.

The introduction of the celebration OF
masses for worshippers at the Episcopal
Church of the Rcdcemcr, was reserved
for Sunday-Christmas Day. The burn
ing OF incense and the bearing of a cru
cifx and lighted candles were also in
the services.
The Church Of the Redeemer has al
ways been attended by extreme ritual
lists, so that the steps taken in. the new
form Of worship proved far from being
Objectionable. Some of the parishiou-
ers, it was said, objected to the radical
change, and, though it may have been
an incident of no import, between 80
and 10 persons left the church during
the l l o'clock celebration of high mass
after the contribution plates had been
passed.
could find none OF the church men,
bers, however, who would express any
dissatisfaction with the innovations, and
was informed that those who left the
church during the service were stran-
gers who wished to get away before
communion
The doors of the church were first
thrown open for low mass at half-past
six o'clock, when Father Henry A.
Adams was the celebrant. At this SER
vice there were about 70 persons pre-
sent.
One hundred and fifty persons attend
ed a low mass celebrated an hour later,
when Father William Everett Johnson
oiliciated.
About one thousand worshippcrs
gathered at halfpast ten o'clock for
mathis and remained for the solemn
mass That commenced at II o'clock,
The celcbrant was Father Adams, who
wore a cream colored silk chasuhle
handsomely embroidered in gold, gift
Of Elbidgc T. Gerry, who does not at
tend but is greatly interested in the
church.
The procession at this church was
led by the thuriicr swinging a new brass
censor FROM which were emitted the
first fumes of burning incense in the
Church OF tie Redccmer. Behind this
WIS the crossbcarer, followed by fifty
boys Of the choir, ana then the bearer
of new hanner-thc banner of the
Blessed Virgin Mmy-a handsomely
painted standard given by parishon-
err. The vested laymen preceded to
the chancel the bearer of crucitiX.
Father Johnson preached the sermon, find
ing his text in Amas, W 21 % and n.
Touching on the introduction Of incense
Father johnson said that might send some
or -, .i.t rt hn
people did not leave the churches where they
were paving $l0G00a year TO roGtors who
spend three quarters of their time abroad.
The fo:Ia OF worship had become as devoid
of life as the nummics in the Central Park
museum, the preacher said. and the ordinary
episcopal club house IS so foreign to the true
way OF Christian worship that the people
oagh; to get out of them.
Religion. it was mo,uisad, was To be preach
ed to the rici; aud poor alike. but il seemed Il
kind OF moclscry at present. for in looking ut
the congregation the poor were not there.
He wanted no cast side chapel and declared
that if anybody offered S25 900 with which
to establish one the offer would be refused.
had an opportunity TO converse with
Father johnson for q toY ino.nenis after CON-
rcpudiatcd thc title Of Protestant Episcopal
Church oc America, that the church did not
rightfully possess any such title.
This church is not Il Protetant one, for if
ii is how about the Methodist Church and
the Presbyterian Churches, which are bodies
that separated from the Church Of England?
Here We are merely going back to the form
OF service tia; beiopgs to the Episcopal
Church, and winch through gross error has
been dropped believe in free pcws and
furthermore believe the poor and rich must
worship here togetEer.-8cT iol1 lseraM