20 JANUARY 1883, Page 13

SIR E. STRACHEY ON RITUALISM.

[TO THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR."' SIR,—Allow me to question the accuracy of the terms used by Sir Edward Strachey. He speaks of a " reconstitution " of the National Church as the aim of the Ritualists, and instances the Mass and Auricular Confession as the doctrines which they are bringing back. If Sir Edward will look into his Prayer-book, he will find that a certain order of men is set apart to whom is confided the exclusive right of celebrating the Lord's Supper and pronouncing Absolution. Whether or no we use the terms, the whole principle of the Mass and Auricular Confession is involved in this provision. If you take it away—and a short Act of Parliament, providing that henceforth all ministers shall be ordained according to the form provided for the Ordering of Deacons, and not otherwise, would take it away—you will " re- constitute" the National Church. Whether you would then "comprehend the Nonconformists," seeing that they do not wish to be comprehended, is an open question. But I altogether protest against the application of the term " progress " to a move in this direction. To a large body of Churchmen, it would be a " retrogression " to the time before the Day of Pentecost.