20 APRIL 1878, Page 3

The Bishop of Salisbury, in a somewhat similar case, has

seen his way to veto proceedings against the Rev. Horace Edward Chapman, Rector of Donhead St. Andrew, notwithstanding the ad- mitted fact that in certain cases candles are illegally lighted on the altar, and water illegally mingled with the sacramental wine. The Bishop says,—" We consider it more desirable to endeavour to effect the gradual accordance of all the usages of the parish with the letter of the law by peaceful and fatherly methods, than by introducing the scandal and division of feeling sure to arise out of litigation, into a parish which has been remarkable for a great increase and appreciation of devotional services during the incum- bency of the present rector, and for much affectionate and most earnest sympathy between the clergy and a very large majority of the communicant parishioners." And he makes it one of his reasons for this conciliatory course that the rector does, once a month, adapt his celebration of the Communion to the tastes of his non-ritualistic parishioners. This is surely a very wise and moderate use of the Bishop's discretion. Was there no way in which Dr. Ellicott might have done likewise with his,—we admit, —far more erratic and self-willed ritualistic chaplain ?