New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-09-13
A RITUALISTIC EPISCOPAL SERVICE.
arGH MASS At THE CHU RICH OF ST. NARY THE
VIRGIN-NOTHING ENGLISH ABOUT 1T.

..i,,S n gratitude toward the Church
1900 which are contained I'm the preface
= oook 81 Common Prayer OF the Protestant
-, church iu the United States OF America.
-. urotestation that the latter Church is
- intending 20 depart from the Church Of
i - any essential point OF doctrine. disci-
,ro-Shfp or further than local circum-
,.,rirs" Go not seem 10 he taken very
-. a. the church Of ST. Mary the Virgin. in
to-tv-siNth-st. between Broadway and
Whether or not the services there mark
--,,,-s IN nolnt OF doctrine or discipline may
= Cor discussion ~ the iconoclastic and
-. English rector who IS threatening 20
- nuhlic disturbance keeps his promise 20
!. Neu.-York soon test his rights 20 inter
.5,b nublic religious worship.
=. s,.b,ect has nc concern with these studies.
p. -, directed 20 the musical portion OF the
p, ..-,.ices IN NeV-Vork. Nevertheless. there
81 ~ harm iu saving that in no respect. either
.,l,soture or ritual. OF musical or disciplinary
=, 4 tb.-e ANYTHING English about the Church
>. a., the Virgin. Its architecture Is pure
.,.ltc. lis ritual follows the Gallican cere-
-. &c music s 81 the brilliantly engaging, not
= ser~uously charming KIND which though
= almost wholly from the Catholic Church'
,---.er,i,. been condemned by the Holy See
lacked upon as an abomination by the pur-
~ y - catholic ecclesiastical musicians
T.-.its, Fathers. whose devotion 20 the Gre
- c,,r- as the only true music 81 the Church
-...,flv been described and discussed in this
p, ,-o,,ia BE- as much Mortified at the style
.., rsos m high mass az St. Mary's as the
- ID ,estrv ~ Mother Trinity would have
= hundred years ago had they merely seen
III Kalendar as the rituaiistic daughter now
- every month. There are about seventy-fNe
- masses every month, solemn high masses
N surdavs. requiem masses and vespers Of
cpufpccipUE etc
- ..-,s.ss OF English composers are practically
ed and the music Of the masses Is that OF
4, French and German schools.
-. -.,,it with the carved figure OF St Paul the
- surnouuting II. the life size crucihN on
--,,.- onposite the pulpit the confessionals and
u. ..,iors of the cross on the walls suggest other
-, mar are associated with the words Angli-
- protestant In fact. ST. Mary's has de-
- ,isely from tho traditions o. the Episoo-
=, rlsrrh While the moVemert. looked upon
-, 10 nut bows and men IN surplices instaIi
s.r IN tho chancel and confide the ornate portion
.,s. musical service 20 them alone was In prog
- g. Ns--,s kent women en- the chancel though
r,lisd 10 then an Inversion 81 the old rule touch
i. p5rsn. permitting them TO be heard but not
- :, vss q new reading 81 the ungracious OLD
p.sl,Bs doctrine "Tacoat muller in ecclesia. and
=, vrhob then seemed strangely at variance with
=, ,e,sspc, toward the old traditions 81 the
church Illustrated iu other features OF the service
Notious have changed since then. and churches
.h,-t thought surplced choirs Of boys and men
-soeseary because the only proper thing fifteen
ears ago and -ceuted something dreadfully map
--or-iste and unecclcsiastical ia surphcep women
ava ince iasta He'd angelic choirs. as they USED
10 called But tina; Is another chapter In this
sfal Now 81 Marvs has its chancel choir OF men
nj boys nroperlv vested but also gallery choir
mer and women. II also has an orchestra two
-rsus and a conductor. who wields his baton IN
lain sight OF the congregation at all its services
II which music is employed.
s. Mar,'s has no wardens and vestrymen, the
wr,rr,ng body being board OF seven trustees
Ia,r,,d for life D. George b. Prentice. Organist
NJ ctoirra ster is a member Of this board. ano 50
.ro-ms practically all the functions which usu-
~ belong 20 the music commttee-that bette nor
most church musicians. Solemn high mass Is
m I'M English every Sunday morning. with cele-
-rt deacon and subdeacon. The chancel chor-
81, sing the traditional plain song. the ealiery
.s.,5e ordinary Of the Inass-Kyrfe. Creoo. sane
., psredi~tts Aenus Del and Gloria In ENcelsis-
"A a., ofertory anthem At the solemn even
.orr on vespers the chancel choir sings the re-
s,o,..s the gallery choir the Magnihoat. Nunc
r,,,,r,s ana anthem The psalms are sung antiph-
,r,nv across the church by the two ohoirs' in
.t,ad Of m tire Anglican way by the decani and
untoris chors.
The hvmm are kept Congregational and are led