Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-10-13
THE EPISCOPAL PRtYER-BOOK.
Petition for Elimination Of Alleged
Iy Dangerous Terms.
(New York Times.)


Perhaps the first manifestation in TINS
country of the anti-ritualistic movement
led by John Kensit and his followers in
the Church of England. is shown by pc
tition which is about TO be presented 10
the General Convention of the Protestant
Episcopal Church, now in session III
Washington. This petition asks Tor the
removal from the Book OF Common
Prayer OF one of the most important
offices of the Church, as at present con-
stituted, on the ground that the terms
used in the office are misleading and dan
gerous to the welfare of the Church. The
petition has been put in places where
clergymen and laity frequent, and It's
originators hope for sufficient number oil
signers TO show that the movement Is
widespread, even If Ii shall not receive
the favorable action of the convention at
the current session. 1t Is as follows:
To the General Convention OF the Pro-
testant Episcopal Church In the United
States of America:
Your petitioners. believing Ii generally
accepted among churchmen that the min
istry of Christ's Church Is not sacerdotal'
hereby request that steps be taken for
abrogating the Office of institution, as at
present contained in the Book of Common
Prayer.
The objections to It, In our opinion are
numerous but chiefly:
That whereas the word altar was
struck out OF the offices of the Prayer
Book at the Reformation more than three
centuries ago, this office of institution
has the effect, by Incorporating the
word into the Prayer Book. OF authorizing
the use Of affairs in the churches, ana TINS
has led to very general practice of dis
placing the holy table in favor OF one or
more affairs, and of teaching that In the
holy communion there is sacrlnce, ana
that n sacrifice of Christ.
2. That the said office conveys the idea
TO many that a sacerdotal character is at
tached to the Christian ministry by rea-
son of the constant recurrence of said
Office and in Connection with priest ana
sacrifice" of such phrases as 'sacerdotal
connection" "sacerdotal relation and
"sacerdotal function" all which we es-
TEEN very dangerous terms TO be so close
ly associated in formulary OF the
Church, seeing that "sacerdotal' refers
to a sacrificing priest, and that the min
istry OF this Church Is not a priesthood
empowered to offer Christ as a sacrifice.
2. That whenever objection is ma lie TO
the use of affairs and TO sacerdotal teach
ing. their advocates invariably point TO
the Office of institution as authorizing
both.
Wherefore, your petitioners pray that
the office of institution be removed from
the Book of Common Prayer
The office for the institution OF minis
ters into parishes or churches is the last
office I'm the Prayer Book. Immediately
preceding the space devoted to the Ar
iicles of Religion. Following is the au-
nv n
stalling the new minister over his flock.
in which the Objectionable words ana
phrases occur:
TO Our Well-Beloved In Christ. A. B.,
Notwithstanding:
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 per-
| form the office of q priest in the parish
| Tor church, of T.. And. also. do hereby in
| stitute you into said parish Tor church)
| possessed of full power to perform every
| act of sacerdotal function among the peo-
I pie of the same: you continuing In com
| munion with US. and complying with the
| rutyrics and canons of the Church, and
| with such lawful directions as you shall
| at any time receive from US.
| And as the Lord hath ordained that
they who serve al the altaf shouiu i've oi
the things belonging TO the altar, so We
| authorize you to claim and enjoy all the
accustomed temperatures appertaining te
| your cure. until some urgent reason oil
reasons occasion a wish in your. or In tbs
| congregation committed TO your charge
| 10 bring about a separation and dissolu'
| tion of all sacerdotal relations between
Won and them. OF all Of which YOU vii
| live us due notice; and In case OF an,
difference between you and your congo
gation, as TO q separation and dissolution
- ali sacerdotal connection between yol
and them. we. your bishop, with the ad
v,ca OF our presbyters. are to be the ulti
mate arbiter and Judge.
II "a likely that the petition, when pre-
.an,sd 10 the convention, will occasion
much discussion. for II will be bitteri,
nn Ss by the representatives OF tn
pi,gh church party, both among th'
h,shops and the clerical and lay dele
Da r" II is distinctly the WORK oil tn
low Church party. whose adherents hoI'
.hat the real meaning OF the communion
table IL LOST by many Of the churches u
The desire for elaborate affairs ana accom-
panying ritual.