New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-03-20

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some Of our elementary and higher public
schools. The practice OF It Is used by Church
men, Nonconformists and Secularsts as a rea-
son for placing all national education under
secular control and for separating the Church
schools from the Church by which they were
founded. There is moral limit to the probing
to which the pententlal conscience is subject.
The very thoughts to be laid bare. some
times 10 a young prestling on whose face the
down Of manhood has only begun to suggest
itself Twenty years ago Archdeacon Allen
shocked the lower House Of Convocation by say
ing. on the authority of venerable and saga
cious High Churchman. that the latter had
known three clergymen who had practsed this
teaching Of habitua confession a duty. who
had fallen into habits OF immortality with women
who had come TO them for guidance"
DANGERS OF CONFESSION
Habitual confession ruins the independence Of
penitent II stains the purity OF the priest.
The growth NJ this discipline in the Church ~
| England is indicated by the fact that twenty
five years since a petition signed by 4s3 neo-
Anglicans. was presented to Convocation pray
Ing for confession To he duly licensed The
Church Review" Of January :, 1890 announced
with gladness that In St Bartholomew,
Brighton. before Christmas seven hundred con-
fessons heard. and II these be added 20
the Easter number both make the stupendOus
/ total for the year Of more than ten thousand" in
Il single church.
II is highly probable that this practice is de-
pendent for its extension on the operations Of
one Of the numerous secret societies now work.
ing within the Church which is known as the
Society Of the Holy Cross That society pub
lished Roman Catholic work by Abbe Gaume
1t Is known as The Priest in Absoution" and
It appeared in two parts. the first part OF which
was purchasable though very foul. but the
ond part. which appeared three years later
could not be procured save through influential
and recognized Intermediates Lord Rldesdale
exposed the book in the House OF Lords. The
Archbishop Of Canterbury said: No modest per-
son could read the book without regret. and that
it is disgrace to the community that such
book should be circulated under the authority Of
clergymen Of the Established Church" The
Houses Of Convocation dealt with the whole
subject and the bishops Of the Upper House
together with the bishops and presbyters Of the
Lower House. concurred in condemnng aurcu-
lar confession as either compulsory habitual, or
essential TO confirmation or to the reception OF
the sacrament. The effects OF the system were
thus described by Lord Salisbury. in the House
OF Lords 1T has been Injurious to the moral
independence and virility OF the nation to an ex-
tent 10 which probably II has been given 10 no
other institution 10 affect the character OF man
kind"
Here let IT be stated that aurlcuar confession
once held a recognized place in the spiritual
discipline Of the Church OF England. In the first
eXhortaton. in the office for Holy Communion
Q54sO We find these words: Requiring such as
shall be satisfied with general confession not
10 be offended with them that do use to their
further satisfying. the auricular and secret con-
fession TO the priest" This sentence reappeared
in the year 1919 But in 1552 a series of altera-
tions made The priest" disappears THE
minister Of Gods Word" takes his place The
pentent is no longer advised to confess his sin
secretly. He is only exhorted to open his
grief" He is to receive absolution. but with
most suggestive distinction It is no longer by
US (as the ministers Of God and Of His
Church," 1t is by the ministry OF Gods Holy
Word Ths-not the sacerdos-is the Of
the absoluton. Thus IT will be seen that aurcu-
lar confession was recognized institution
Of the Church Of England From that position
it deliberately elected The attempt to re-
introduce it is accordingly discredted by It's
previous condemnation darkened by the moral
dscooration Of Disagreement. Of authoritative
censure and Of humbling experience
THE REINTRODUCTION OF THE MASS
The same may be said Of the rentroduction Of
the sacrifice Of the mass. The doctrine now
boldly advocated at time held by the
Church Of England The ceremonial associated
with II is adopted outside the Anglican com
munion where the doctrine Is at home. The
neo- Anglicans and the Romanists believe the
sacrifice to be propitiatory They regard it
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the same sacrifice with that offered on Cal
vary" 1T should pc -sess every element in rit
ual and music and other accessories which
the tradition Of the Church sanctions. The
founders Of the Oratory Of the Society OF the
Holy Cross would not feel satisfied until they
restored to the Church ~ England a rendering
Of the sacred mass. which fully medieval
in the correctness Of it's use. and more than
medieval in the richness. costliness taste and
perfection Of its details. Thus we should desd
crate these elements at the least-the asperges.
the censing Of persons and things, the use
~ incense in ritual manner. the correct
inrroits graduals offertories. communOns. Cos
mel lights: conservation lights on the altar and
conservation candles in front Of the altar in
addition 10 the six altar candles and two sacra-
mental lights: the use Of the altar bell, the
lavabo and. OF course eucharistic vestments
for celebrant. ministers, servers and acoytes.'
THE Rev Orban Shipley) This programme is
over twenty years old. The crisis in the Church
to-day reflects the fidelity with which the pro-
gramme has been worked out
Nor is IT otherwise with regard TO masses for
tho dead associated these are with a heller
in purgatory Mr. Walsh stated in his letter 10
THE Times" OF February 10 that 3lAo masses
for the dead were offered in England and Wales
during 1897 10 release souls from purgatory.
The statement has not so far been challenged
HYMNS are sung in honor Of the Blessed virgin
Mary Prayers are addressed 10 her, 70 other
holy virgins Of God" and even to Thomas
Rocket The invocation Of saints Is IN many
Anglican churches. taught and practised