The San Francisco call., 1896-09-10

designated as the "Irvingites," name
which its members strongly object to as
misleading and inappropriate. The cele-
brated preacher, Edward Irving, seems to
have been merely co-worker with other
nonconformists in bringing together a
number of persons whose religious view:
agreed with his own. The body dlsclaims
any pretensions to being a separate
church, and claims fellowship with al
churches having heirarchical priest
hood.
The local congregation has been in ex.
istence for some years and has now 9
handsome church on Eighteenth street.
near Dolores. On entering the visitor s
attention is first attracted bv the holy
water font Just inside the door. The body
of the church is fitted up with pews and
kneeling-b benches and will accommodate
about 400 persons. The chancel is the
most elaborately furnished portion of the
ediice, being fitted up like that of prop
erly constructed Roman Catholic cathe-
dral. The lower choir or DIAGONAL step,
occupied by the inferior clergy is followed
by the presbyteral step. leading to the up-
per choir, which is reserved for the priests
or elders.
Above and beyond the presbytery is the
sanctuary, having a handsome altar, sur
mounted by tabernacle in which the
sacrament is reserved for the communion
OF the sick. Before the altar hangs lamp
which is always kept burning. To the
left of the altar is the throne of the bishop,
or "angel." the Rev. William M. Pearl,
and round about are cushions upon which
the officiating clergy kneel during the
services: To the left is also pulpit from
which the gospel is read, and on the oppo-
site side stands lectern for the reading
of the epistle.
This church has a complete and elab-
crate ceremonial, its most imposing serv-
ice being the celebration of the eucharist.
which they regard as both sacrament and
sacrifice. In the liturgy of the eucharist
are many adaptations from the Roman
missal and from the Book of Common
Prayer, besides other rites of more modern
origin. The vestments used bv the Off
ciating clergy are identical with those now
employed by the Roman church, and are
OF as rich and handsome materials as car
be procured. The abs and surplices are
linen and the other vestments usually oi
silk or velvet in various colors.
Incense and lights are used at ali the
solemn services, the lights being olive-oil
lamps, no candles being burned. The
| solemn offices are all intoned throughout
the church having complete musical rit
ual of its own, different from any other
except IN the case of the psalms, which
are CnanVsu 10 the 0regor1an tones.
The church is administered from Lon.
don. where are seven magnificent build.
ings, corresponding to the "sevenchurche:
OF Asia" mentioned in the Apocalypse
Sixty years ago twelve "apostlesn were sci
apart as the governing body of the church
only one of whom is yet alive. He resides
in England, and though not claiming OF
exercising pontitical authority, is the chiei
ecclesiastical dignitary.
The local church, though its member
ship, is not very large, is in a fourishine
condition. considerable accession tc
the roll of members is anticipated, as one
of the results of the series of meetings
which will be announced as soon as the
evangelist shall have been appointed tc
conduct them. The society counts among
its clergy many fine orators, and it is ex
pected that one of the best now in Eng
land will be selected for the work on this
coast. The date of the proposed lectures
| has not yet been fixed, but it is thought
they will commence during the winter, OF
at the latest in the early part of the new
year.