RITUALISM AT BRIGHTON.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume IV, Issue 30, 6 February 1869, Page 2

RITUALISM AT BRIGHTON.

St. James's Chapel, Brighton, the incumbent of which is the Eev. John Purchas, was a few weeks since, the scena of a • harvest festival,' which has created a deep sensation not only in that town, but throughout the country. We have not space for a full description of the ceremonial, but suffice it to say that the ' high celebration' was of the most gorgeous character, and that as it proceeded the rnbric was repeatedly violated* During the singing of an introit all the candles around the altar, to the number of about four-aud-twenty, were lit by an attendant. Mr Purchase then came upon the stage, with a chasuble over his surplace, und preceded, as before, by acolytes, thurifer, &c, and having incensed the altar, commenced intoning the Communion Service, out of which he quietly omitted the Ten Commandments altogether. The Gospel was read by Mr Purchas with ail the accessories of lighted candles and clouds of incense. Then followed the Nicene Creed, to the same music to which it is often sung in Latin in Eoman Catholic churches, add then the sermon, eleven' minutes in length. In the prayer for the ' state of Christ's Church militant/ at the .words 'our alms and oblations,' Mr Purchas lifted the consecrated wafers—they use wafers here, not bread—and the wine above his head, in order the more posi* I tively to enforce the doctrine of a real and material sacrifice. The usual exhortation was omitted, and a good deal of the remainder of the service was performed in dumb show, the choir singing sundry ' sequences ' and suffrages as before. A little bell was rung three times at the elevation, just as is done in Roman Catholic churches*