[To the Editor of ,THE SPECTATOR.] Sra,—Will you allow the
UnknownWitness, one of the thousands of clergy who do understand their people, but are unnoticed and silent about their work, to speak on this vital matter ? I have been in Orders more than thirty years and have had two town parishes and two in the country. I have always had large congregations in the morning and have a very large one now. We have Matins, with hymns the people know, and a sermon which teaches the full Faith and Duty. Parishioners of all sorts, rich and poor, young and old attend the service regularly. There is no decay of religion in this parish.
, The reasons why people will not attend Choral Eucharists are two. Many of them have made their communion early and do not want the same service at eleven. Others refuse to attend a service which is unknown since the Choral Eucharist is usually not a service found in our Prayer Book, but a feeble imitation of the Roman Mass, said in an inaudible voice and in which the congregation may not join. Such services, and they are far too common, rob the people of their right to worship at eleven.—Yours faithfulli% • COUNTRY VICAR.
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