The sun., 1898-10-10
WOULD EDIT PRAYER BOOK
Low Churchmen of P. E. Church
Find an Office to Contain
Dangerous Words.
THEY DESIRE TO ABOLISH II
"Office of Institution" Speaks of
"Altars" and "SacerdOtal Func.
tions" Which Ritualists De-
sire to Keep in the
Prayer Book.

The Delaware delegates to the Trien-
NAL Convention of the Protestant Episco-
pal Church which is now in session at
Washington, d. c., have been asked to
consider all important petition which is
to be presented to the convention.
Though many vastly important ques-
tions were expected to arise before the
convention this petition which is about
to be presented is indeed a matter OF
grave Importance to Episcopaleans in
every town and city.
The petition asks for the removal from
the Book of Common Prayer of one of
the most important offices OF the church,
on the ground that the terms used in the
office are misleading and dangerous to
the welfare of the church.
The petition is the work of the Low
Church party, for it is direct attack
upon terms which the High Churchman
or Ritualists hold most dear. 1t begins
by saying that it is generally accepted
among churchmen that the ministry of
Christ's Church is not sacerdotal," and
goes on to ask that the 'office of institu-
tion," or form used by bishop in in.
stalling clergyman in his parish, be
abolished.
Their objections to it are based on the
use of the words 'sacerdotal" and
"altar," which they say have the effect
OF authorizing the use of altars in the
churches; and "this," they say, "has
led to very general practice of displac-
ing the holy table in favor of one or
more altars; and of teaching that in the
holy communion there is sacrifice, and,
at that, sacrifice of Christ"
The petitioners decree these danger
Gus terms to be so closely associated in a
formulary of this church, seeing that
'sacerdotal refers to sacrificing priest,
and that the ministry of this church is
not priesthood, empowered to offer
Christ as sacrifice"
The office of the institution of minis
ters into parishes or churches, to which
the petitioners object is as follows:
To our WellBeloved in Christ, A. B., Presbyter,
Greeting:
We do by these presents give and grant unto
you, in whose learning, diligence, sound doctrine
and prudence we do fully confide, our license and
authority to perform the office of a priest in the
parish Tor church) Of E.. And also do hereby in
sttute you into said parish Tor church) possessed
of full power 10 perform every act of sacerdotal
function among the people of the same you con-
tinuing in communion with u.s. and complying
with the rubriCs and canons OF the church. and
with such lawful directions as you shall at any
time receive from us.
And ss the Lord hath ordained that they who
at the altar should live of the things belong
ing to the altar, we authorize you to claim and
enjoy all the accustomed temporalities apper-
tanning to your cure, until some urgent reason
or reasons occasion a wish in you, or in the con-
gregation committed to your charge, to bring
about separation and dissolution of all sacer
dotal relations between you and them; OF all Of
which you will give us due notice; and case
ofany difference between you and your congre-
CATION as to a separation and dissolution o. all
sacerdotal connection between you and them,
We your bishop, with the advice of our presby-
tiers, are to be the ultimate arbtcr and Judge.
1t is likely that the petition. when pre-
sented to the convention, will occasion
much discussion, for it will be bitterly
opposed by the representatives of the
high church party, both among the
bishops and the clerical and lay dele
gates.