[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] Sin,—In reply to a
" Communicant," who refers to me in his letter, I would point out that his interpretation of the Ornaments Rubric is admitted by the Deposited Book to be open to doubt. " For the avoidance of controversy and doubtfulness it is hereby prescribed, &c." Curiously enough after twenty years hard labour the Convocations have not settled the questions of the vestments of assistant Clergy at the Holy Communion—a remarkable oversight seeing that their direction was specially drawn to that Rubric.
Also I would ask a Communicant to read a little further in the Catechism--to the words, The strengthening and refreshing of our souls by the Body and Blood of Christ, as our bodies are by the bread and wine." This agrees with the consecration prayer : " We receiving these Thy creatures of bread and wine may be partakers of His Body and Blood." So Keble wrote : " In the heart not in the hands " and that was the Tractarian belief till the Ritualists deflected them to the modern Anglo-Catholic teaching.—I am, Sir, &c., E. A. Knox, Bishop.
18 Beckenham Grove, Shortlands, Kent.
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