New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-10-15
ENGLISH CHURCH RIrrALIsM

Az AMERICAN CLERGYMAN FINDS 40 EXTREME
PRACTICES ~ AN EXTENDED OBSERVATION.
To the Editor Of The Tribune
Sir. have just returned from three months
trip 10 England and the results ot my observations
NJ the services Of the Church Of England are SO
sDrpr.-.ng 20 me that feel mpclloa. with your
permission. TO give them to your readers.
From the various articles IN newspapers eN-
rected TO see extreme ritual practically triumphant
7 had indeed CLEAN Of nope from the report ot
the English bishops made m May as 20 the eX-
stonce ami us. OF confessional boxes that enforced
Confession AT least. was nowhere. H. as they re
ported only a dozen or so could be found In all
England that was good evidence that auficuar con-
fession even where advised Was Rot enforced
The report Of The Record quite recently shows
that in all England only two hundred ana eighty
nino churches have used incense AZ 70 other
things / submit the following statements
] attended sunday services IN twenty-five
churches and cathedrals. Tho churches other than
cathedras we're NOT selected with any knowledge
as to what the ritual might be, hut from proximity
ar because they were the oldest or most prom-
nent churches In the town where | happened 20 De.
Eight were London churches. In them found
great surprises The choral service Was practically
UNIVERSAL Procees ioual and reccssi1na, hymns with
professional crosses. and c:osscs-two. hymns-two
After the choir had struggled in. hy mn was sung
as also before they struggled out bat not in pro
o,ssion generally. In only Two cases was seen The
Trinity color pronounced green In TWO other
cases the sfoos were an Invisible green an others
buck. In no case were There sf,en hangings * the
altar or green hookmarhs. etc.
The formal presentation ot the aims upon ~"
ALTAR "a most excellent and beautiful piece Of
rltuaD vas with one exception unused. \ hymn
was sung during the off,floly and NJ course the
congregation was standing. hut 'he hymn had mo-
reference. with one exception 10 the oNerory
There were no special ,Cchtrlstc ,esiments. In
only one church were there any altar lights lighted
or eNtinguish@d AZ matter OF rltual ana In very
few any altar lights at all
ia no church were there any tabernacle FOR
the reserved sacra nent or any sanctuary Lamp lie
noting any reserved sacranout In on.y one church
was there any bowling TO the altar aud that tS a
few There were no acolytes ana no incense In
only two OF three any turning 90 th' aliar DURING
the singing OF the Gloria Patrl. though IN ah' ut
half the Creed was nIuE ln that manner IN nuN
few. I'm two churches the 4tctphrr turned Geo the
east at the hscrption. In Ole lr hl-eed his aioir
NON. g IN thp-" twenty I've thut hr~ through
uut all England. from Plymouth up 90 Scotland.
NOT tamr under my notice as litrii-!lb *
trrm. or kOmNulIlng ritual Is u nos lar 60 INFER
that that ritual must Dee in "a very rull mlnoilN
uf chuit Acer l4tualiou- churches age indeed
ln,, h4fr 90 hr so.~ht uul, generally in some
obscure street or ln same outlying suburb
The komauiZng 1tuAl ln the church 81 Ens'and
d. the fruth upon tho .ctShoft which VIII never
extend upon 80, Nidr rNpdnse of blue The church
Of England stands like rock upon me principles