The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-05-29
TRY
RITUALISM.
M --------- ---------------
High Mass at the St. Matthews
/ Protestant Episcopal Church,
Colorcd, in Detroit
RECTOR CALLED FATHER
Close Imitation Of Roman Cath
olic scrvice--Lights and
Crosses on the Altar.
RECTOR CALLED GATHER

I DETROIT. MICH, May as--st' Mat
,hev,a Protestant Episcopal Chhrch.
whose congregation are negroes Is
narkable for the extent to winch r''pa'
N tstic practices have been carried oy 10
( rector. the Rev. j. B. Massiah-rat he'
nta.,,ah. as he Is called by his parish
loncrs.
The electric lighted star hanging III ''''
nlace of the usual sanctuary lamp was
nlaoed there at Christmas 10 typily .he
star Of Bethlehem. There Is no 'feser-
walton. although there is taoernacie
r.Yhe altar. which may some day he
used for that purpose
There had been an early communion o.
ESQ A. Ma low celebration such as 10
n man Catholics have at that hour' ii'e
Order for Morning Prayer IS absoiuteis
phn,lshed in this church as Sunday
service. and is never used except by
handful of people in the basement OF Inc
church on Thursday morning.
y The early morning celebration IS 10 al
sntents and purposes an imitation Oh
( Roman Catholic low mass. and Is as
nearly like it as 1t may be IN English
using the Anglican communion service
The celebration, which begins al II
o'clock, is an imitation OF Roman
Catholic high mass ltscannot be calico
q solernn mass. because the element o.
ina burning incense Is lacking. but other
wise the imitation is essentially COM
nIete. The short service before the mass
known as the "Asperges" is mot used.
The clergy enter the church with the
choir, headed by a crucifier In a red
nsssock and lace Gotta. The celebrant.
Fnther Massah, wears a plain alb, with
4 rirdle, embroidered stole. maniple. etc.
The server wears only plain alb Win
girdle. On arriving at the chancel, the
celebrant assumes chasuble and then
goes Immediately to tie altar.
Il The whole service Is choral. and finely
wondered. Father Massah Joining in an
snpressive manner. with a full. musical
voice. The choir Is we'll trained, and the
service is Impressive and pleasing.
N The Niccne Greed is sung IN good
style; and not only do the congregation
bow when the name of Jesus is pro-
nounced, but they also bow at the IN
carnatus'' t.and was made man. and at
the end when saying Il believe III the
life to come they cross themselves.
The rubrc before the general confess
sion reads: "Then shall this general con-
teSSlOn De INdue Ny lile P''Ss't ''''' v.
those who are minded to receive the holy
communion But Father Massiah mas
a taught his congregation to repeat TINS
confession aloud without him lie takes
A 40 audible part In IT.
After the prayer OF humble access
and before the prayer of conservation,
while the priest Is ordering bhe bread an
wine the choir sings Behold, He Con
[ eth" and afterward, instead of hymn
they sing "Agnus Del" ETC., continuing
/ ms in Roman Catholic mass, during tn
priests communion.
I After the benediction, "Nunc Dlmittis
is sung, and finally, after the recessionnl
Father Massiah, In the vestry, but In full
hearing of all the congregation, pray
Y that God will be pleased with the sacri
Ilce' which has just been offered.