THE ANTI-RITUALIST VIEW.
[To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR."]
Sts,—Can your correspondent, Mr. Oxenbam, really suppose that the "principle" of all Anti-Ritualists is an objection to wear any "Popish garments," or symbolise "Popish doctrine?" Surely there are some who take their stand on the principles of the Reformation and spiritual religion. They believe that Christianity was a Reformation of Judaism, which had become, by a natural reaction from the licence of earlier days, a dead and spirit-stifling ceremonial. The yoke of the Law forged by Ezra to bring into subjection a stiff-necked people, humbled by captivity, and grateful for restoration, was, indeed, a step in ad- vance from the corruptions of the late Jewish monarchy; but it contained within itself the seeds of its own dissolution, and from its dead ashes sprang the Christian faith, vivified by a living principle. They believe that the Ritual which gathered round the simple meetings of early Christians was partly of Jewish, partly of heathen origin; that, spiritually, it was a sign, not of strength, but of weakness; that it served its ends, under God's providence, by disciplining the forces of the Church in their struggle against wickedness, and giving them a visible banner under which to fight; but that it never was the most excellent way, the ideal of Christian perfection. The evils it brought in- evitably in its train made the Reformation and a reassertion of man's spiritual birthright necessary. They regard a return to mediaeval methods as an anachronism. Man's nature may not differ materially, but his surroundings do. To them, the Sacra- ment of the Lord's Supper loses rather than gains in solemnity, by the distraction of lights, vestments, and incense; and is not elevated, but degraded, by what seem to them somewhat theatrical adjuncts.
Finally, they wish to protest against the idea that there is any distinction, other than official, between Christians; they think all official differences should be minimised, not empha- sised ; they regard the minister as the servant of the congre- gation, and all ceremonial which tends to separate the priest- hood into an Order is to them a retrograde step, a return to beggarly elements, needful, perhaps, where gross ignorance and heedless vice have to be combated, but not the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.—I am, Sir, &c., Diecolius.
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