The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-05-11

tains Its ancient form of a cloak that falls over the shoulders The priest assumes It as does the Roman cleric by putting
 his head through the hole in the top of
 the garment. The garment looks in the
 hand like truncated cone
 In such particulars the ancient Sarum
 use which the ritualists have restored differs from the practices that have sur vived in the Roman church. In parishes dedicated to the Blessed Virgin, for in- stance pale blue takes the place of green throughout the Trinity season But in the main the Sarum use and the Roman are the same in important points
 It Is. of course to one of the two churches mentioned that the person anx- ious to see ritualistic service would go
 The principal service on Sundays in both
 of these as in all the churches that be- long to the advanced wing, Is the mass at
 Il o'clock.
 There are always two or three early low masses for those who have been to confession and desire to take communion fasting. The rule that parishioners must
 make communion fasting compels them | to go to the early masses and the high,
 or solemn mass. as it may happen to be
 Is intended only for the communion of
 the priest.
 1 Low, high and solemn mass are almost l technical terms and have specific mean
 ing in the understanding of the clergy , and the ritualists. A low mass is said i without music and with the assistance of | only an acolyte.
 Usually 1t Is said in the early morning for the persons who want to make com
 munion. But more rarely It Is said later on a week day to celebrate saints day. Only two candles are lit.
 At high mass there are choir, two
 acolytes' six candles at least, and some
 times incense. although according to strict rule incense Is used only at a sol
 chm mass. The distinguishing feature of
 the solemn mass is the participation ot
 the deacon and sub-deacor, who serve
 the celebrant of the mass as acolytes. The mass begines with the reading of | the morning prayer. which is done in the | ritualistic churches at an earlier service; 1 so the communion service begins as 1t
 does in the prayer book with the Deca-
 logue. If the Decalogue has been read
 after morning prayer it Is sometimes | omitted at the high or solemn mass | solemn mass at the church of Saint Mary the Virgin Is typical of the most advanced service given anywhere in the l country and under the direction of the Rev. Thomas Mckee Brown the founder
 of the parish. who died some years ago,
 the services acquired great reputation 1 for their dignity and beauty which they
 have never lost They remain the best | specimens of an advanced rtualistic ser
 vice that could be found either here or l in England.
 1 The chuch is equipped with beautiful l vestments and Is of size that admits ot | very impressive services. The music has 1 always been of very high order, ana | the choirmaster. George Prentice. cele- l brated a short time ago the twenty-fifth 1 anniversary of his term at the church | So solemn mass at this church gives as | good an idea as stranger could get of 1 what constitutes ritualistic service i At the solemn mass the thurifer heads | the choir procession into the church The ! crucifer follows him, and then comes the | choir. Usually there are visiting clergy l who bring up the end of the procession | By the time the thurifer Is swinging 1 the incense before the altar the choir are | in their seats. The ceiebrant, the deacon
 and the sub-deacon who are to serve as