The Canon Against Ritualism.
THE following is the text of the canon against ritualism as recently passed by the Episcopal General Convention: *Resolved (the House of Bishops concurring) That the following additional section be added to canon 20, Title I. "Of the use of the Book of common Prayer." SEC. 2. [1] If any bishop have reason to believe, or if complaint be made to him in writing by two or more of his Presbyters, that ceremonies or practices during the celebration of the Holy Communion, not ordained or authorized in the Book of common Prayer, and setting forth or symbolizing erroneous or doubtful doctrines, have been introduced into a parish within his jurisdiction (and as examples the following are declared to be considered as such): b. The placing, or carrying, or retaining a crucifix in any part of the place of public worship. c. The elevation of the elements in the Holy Communion in such manner as to expose them to the view of the people as objects toward which adoration is to be made. d. Any act of adoration of or towards the elements in the Holy Communion, such as bowings, prostrations, genuflexions, and all such like acts not authorized or allowed by the Rubrics of the Book of Common Prayer. It shall be the duty of such Bishop to summon the Standing Committee as his Council of advice, and with them to investigate the matter. [2] If after investigation, it shall appear to the Bishop and the Standing Committee that erroneous or doubtful doctrines have in fact been set forth or symbolized by ceremonies or practices not ordained or authorized as aforesaid, it shall be the duty of the Bishop, by instrument of writing under his hand, to admonish the minister of the parish to discontinue such practices or ceremonies; and if the minister shall disregard such admonition, it shall be the duty of the Standing Committee to cause him to be tried for a breach of his ordination vow; provided, that nothing herein contained shall prevent the presentment, trial, and punishment of any minister under the provision of Section 1 of Canon 2, Title II, of the Digest. [3] In all investigations under the provisions of this canon, the minister whose acts or practices are the subject matter of the investigation shall be notified, and have opportunity to be heard in his defense; the charges preferred and the findings of the Bishop and the Standing Committee shall be in writing, and a record shall be kept of the proceedings in the case.* The vote was: Clerical vote—Yeas 38, nays 2, divided 1, total 41. Lay vote—Yeas 34, nays 3, divided 1, total 38. The large majority given in favor of the new canon was probably secured not by speeches or arguments during the debate, but by the explanation of the committee. Their spokesman stated that the canon, while presenting a mere opinion that certain ritualistic acts and practices were of doubtful doctrine, by no means settled the question or forbade the acts, but simply paved the way for an investigation and trial when they took place. The real battle over Ritualism is to be fought when these cases come up for trial. The vital question is thus postponed.