The Central Presbyterian

Ritualism.

Bishop McIlvaine of Ohio has addressed a letter to the editor of a Low Church paper, the Western Episcopalian. The Bishop handles Ritualism without gloves. He thanks the editor for having given in his columns a prominent place to the noble speech of Rev. Dr. J. Cotton Smith, on the "abominations which have become so alarming in the Church of England, and which are coming out so boldly, and with such evident combination of plan and effort, in our Church in the United States."

The Bishop refers to some of the practices which are creeping into use. The bowing to the name of Jesus in the creed (which by the way, says the Bishop, is no part of the appointed ceremonial of our worship, as many of our people seem not to know) has grown to divers bowings to this and that by minister and people, and by some where "the Virgin Mary" comes in the creed. The use of the sign of the cross in baptism, provided for by church directions, is multiplying into various other sign and mystic significations, such as crosses on the Lord's table of wood or stone, crosses on coverings of the table, on clerical robes, crosses everywhere--candles on the table and in the chancel, burning in broad daylight, etc. If all these things were simply looked at as an increased ceremonial, one might be content to speak of them as puerilities. But in the intention of those who are zealous for the ritualism which now aspires to place itself high and lifted up, in the Anglican churches, no such thing limits their view. With them it all means doctrine, advanced doctrine, such as the simple ritualism of the Anglican Church hitherto has not taught.