Year: 1867

tho Clergy and Laity of the Protestant Episcopal
| Oh lrch in the Diocese OF Iowa:


| DEAR BRETHREN N-Permit me to call


your attention to the accompanying decla-
ration already published-EDs. T1MEsl of
majority of our bishops on the subject of
rituaiistlc innovations, and to ask of the
| clergy to communicate this letter and that
| document to their respective congregations
| at an early day. To me it is matter of
deep modification that there should be
| any occasion for such course on the part
OF the bishops, in any portion of the church
| either in this country or in England; though
l am glad to believe that in this diocese
the condemned innovations have not thus
far been introduced, and that they prevail
to very limited extent anywhere within
our borders. Still, the signs of the times,
and certain public demonstrations, seem
to render this declaration important and
necessary, in order to check any danger
Gus tendencies, and to give influential tes-
timony in favor of the simplicity of the
gospel, and of that ecclesiastical system
which has come down to us from the apos-
tolic age, and whose legitimate usages and
services are in accordance with its spirit
ual and venerable character, as marking
true bench of the church of Christ. The
innovations referred to, and others that
might have been named, seem to me to de-
grade the wol ship Of Almighty God; and if
.hey are not orig mated by superstition, they
certainly tend in that direction, and are in
opposition to the spirit Of the new dispen-
sation, as well as that of our reformed and
scriptural church. could myself have
willingly and gladly gone much further
t IAN the few details of the declaration: but
the course adopted may suffice for the de-
signed object, not only preventing the more
Objectionable and prominent innovations
complained of, but also those of minor,
though related character, and which, am
persuaded, are sometimes INDUCED in with
out any wrong Intentions or views. but
which are without authority as established
customs of the church. would urge
general compliance with what is usual and
ordinary in the celebration of Divine SER
vice and suggest that everything that is
unusual and extraordinary be carefully
ave. ded. 1t is very desirable that there
should be uniformity in the customs and
practices of our worship, and that no uE-
authorized usages should be made test Of
true attachment to the church. The ap-
plication of such test naturally grows
out of these extra-rubrical innovations,
which is one strong reason, among others,
against their introduction into any of our
congregations. That may be more ex-
plcit; would state that, aside from the
very prevalent custom of bowling in the
Greed at the name OF Jesus,-which itself,
in our church, is t, additional and optional,
Il regard all bowings and genutlections
during public service, by the clergy or
people, as inexpedient, not being warranted
by rubrics, canons or general custom, and
tending to excite and foster a spirit Of for
malism, ut variance with the simple teach
ings of Christ and His holy apostles. l
include the habit of turning significantly
towards the Lords table in the usual
ascription at the close of the sermon, as
well as in certain parts Of the service where
no such direction is given by the church,
us among those practices that are compar-
atively novel and limited, and that are
hindrances to the order and uniformity
that are SO much to be desired in church
whose worship is common prayer and
pra Sc, and whose true prosperity will ever
be identified with ritual simplicity, and
with that primitive faith which was once
delivered to the saints.


do not refer to these things in any die
tatorial or intrusive spirit, but from an
honest conviction that the practices in
question, whether arising from sentimental
or doctrinal views, are entirely inexpedi-
ent, if not unlawful and because feel it
bounden duty to discourage and oppose
them in the church at large, and especially
in my own diocese. 1t is my earnest de-
sire to stand by the church as it is, and to
see the clergy and the laity conforming to
all fixed usages and customs, and discoun-
tenancins everything, in all directions,
that is unauthorized by the church itself.
May God give us grace to be faithful to
our trust, to drive away from the church
all erroneous and strange doctrines and
practices, and to do all in our power for
the promotion and extension Of that blessed
kingd which is not meat and drink, but
righteousness and peace and JOY in the
Holy Ghost.


Commencing you all, my dear brethren,
to the favor and blessing Of the Great
Head Of the church, l remain,


Your affectionate friend and bishop,
HENRY w. LEE.