The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-10-29
The Service At ~. Isnatius's.

To THE EDlToR or The SUN Sir, DR.
Christians sermon at the opening of st.
Irnatiu-' Church was SURF to bring some such
letters a. that of Mr.. John Jay Van Allen.
published In your paper of to-day.
The first thought suggested by reading
same t. that iools rush in where angels fear
10 tread, and II H. usually meu Of this stripe
with an a abundance OF assurance and dearth
Of learning who presune TO critlcise such
men a. Fathers Christian and Ritchi" There
il an abundance of men OF leaning and
ability who might measure swords with
Father Christian. whose wisdom and judg-
m"nt are made manifest by their silence
Father Christian and hundreds OF other
priests like him need no defence. but for the
benefit OF the casual reader | venture a few
remarks on MIR Van Aliens letter Mr.. Van
Allen speaks of Father Christians sermon
a. an attempt to harmonic" ritual and ocre-
monies of the Roman Catholic Church with
the doctrine and ritual OF the Book OF Com
mon Prayer There must have been a de-
lu-ion somewhere. for l heard no such nt-
tempt from Dr. Christians lips. nor any
reference TO or apology for ritual or ceie-
monal
Mr. Van Allen claims by inference that the
mass incense, sanctuary lamp. Sc, are
Roman Catholic. and that therefore the ri ual
and ceremonial OF St lenatius and hundreds
NJ other parishes are copied or ada pied from
Rome.
Now. a man could not say that mother
looks or acts like her daughter or a master
works like his apprentice. but. vice versa.
the daughter looks like the mother. the ap-
prentice like his mast
Mr.. Van Allen quotes the Book Of Common
PRAYER. This church does not intend to
depa n from the doctrine or discipline OF the
Church OF England. and from the Church OF
England mot Rome) are the ritual and cere-
monials adapted. II Is therefore up to Mr.,
Van Allen to prove that the mass. incense.
Of worship we're used in the Roman Church
before the English Church. Can he do ~
A man Of any learning on the subject
reference to the legal title OF that small branch
Protestant Episcopal Church. Father Chris
tian referred TO the Catholic Church OF the
creeds..
thai the " les alma name Of the Church is an alas
adopted as paCiher 10 the populace after
the close Of the KeVST.opS Shsn evssr ,
and practices OF the Church. nor does it APP
her NJ mrsy. American Catholics dislike nov
city and return TO the parent ages OF the I'M
divided Church for their models. and are seek
Cal holic Church in all countries and ages.
Pro,eitanti.HmH Is only 500 co years old while
Professionalism il represented numerically
in the Christian world IN about the same
proportion. Anything which IL distinctly
Pro'estant, therefore. is distinctly new or
mon PRAYER that Is not Catholic aud primitive
When a surgeon removes from the body
an affected part he removes with II much
good flesh 10 insure the expungnR OF the
disease, knowing full we'll that the incision
will heal and new flesh reform and replace
that which Is removed So AT the Reforma-
removed to eradicate that which was deemed
evil. And the oxford Movement was a
was ancient Catholic and therefore good
The phenomenal progress and growth of the
restora ion during the last ffty years speaks
for itself and fifty years to come, Ii the fut ure
can be Judged by the past. such n letter as
Mr. Van Aliens would be- u hideous curiosity,
r. II. WRvIIL