In closing the correspondence that has recently appeared in our calamus upon alleged ritualistic practices at St. John's College, Jessfield, we may be permitted to offer a few remarks ourselves. Some criticism has been evoked by the assort tion of the Bishop-designate that they have there "a grave and reverent ritual, but no ritualism." The express sion is, no doubt, ambiguous; but it is clear that what may appear very high ritual to one man is not necessarily so in the eyes of another. It is not so very long ago that a clergyman who preached in his surplice was regarded, sud justly, as a Pasoyite; now, however, the practice is almost universal, 80 much 60, indeed, that it is by no means the mark of avy ecclesiastical party. That the ritual at St. John's is higher and more elaborate than that at Trinity Cathedral may be at once conceded. But we believe we are justified in saying that practices that would be unhesitatingly recognised as io in England do not carry so significance in the United States. For instance, the eastward position la assumed, we hear, in nearly all Amorican churches; and though one is lost in wonder at the prominence given to this practice both by its supporters and antagoniste—as if it mattered a straw either way—it is only right to draw attention to the different estimation la which it appears to be held in the two countries. The wearing of acassock is even more trifling; this is, too, done at the Cathedral; and how, we should like to know, is it more ritualistic for a clergyman to wear a black robe under his white one than to expose a pair of black trousers It is true that, at one time, water was mixed with wine during the Communion service at St. John's; but this was discontinued at the advice of shop Schereschewsky, while the altar far plainer than that at the Cathedral, There need be no secret that the Rev.
Sayres was an avowed and conscientious ritualist; he wore the biretta, and was always anxious to have fan ornate ritual; but this gentleman has not taken an active barb in St. John's services since Inst November, and he is now, we believe, no longer in Shanghai, There have never boon lights, or incense, or wafers, or confess sion, in teaching or in practice, and whenever there has been any distinctly ritualistic practice it has, we are assured, always been the unauthorised act of an individual. Besides which, we really do not see what business it is of 'Justice' or anybody else who does not attend the services. If a man docs not like the services at a certain church, let him go elsewhere; surely there is choice enough, and the ritualist has just as much right to his opinions as the ranter. We say nothing about the charge of misrepresentation that has been brought against the authorities of St, John's except that we have reason to believe it is absolutely without foundation, and can be disproved with
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.