METHOD OF WORSHIP.

Shannon News, 3 April 1928, Page 3

METHOD OF WORSHIP.

DEAN’S APPEAL TO PEOPLE

The present method of worship in St. Peter’s Cathedral, Hamilton, which has been the matter of controversy, was the subject of a sermon delivered before a large congregation by Dean Barnett in the cathedral on Sunday evening. He said he did not consider it fair to reply in the pulpit to statements made in the press. He would deal with the matter in another way. It had been his ideal, said the dean, when he became vicar of the cathedral parish, to do all his work for the honor and glory of God. No one could label him a party man. His mathematical training had enabled him to see things in a fair and impartial manner and thereby to direct his work. When lie came to the parish he set. before him certain ideals. Tlie people would not expect- the vicar in so important a parish to attend to the ordinary routine work only. The art of worship was a specialist’s matter in the same way as the work of any professional mail was. His duty as their leader was to set before them some ideal of worship, explain the method and lead them on. The dean appealed to the people to trust him to lead them direct and teach them. If he proved worthless or faithless he would be the first to go. The dean said he should have the wholehearted support of the people in all things reasonable for at. least Vl months. It was an unwritten law for a new vicar that he should make no al teration in the parish for at least If months, until he had an opportunity oi understanding his people and so be abh to help them in Mio best way. He had tried to placctfirst things first. After our Lord’s ascension the Apostles, built up their worship on the last sup per. This continued to be an essentia point of worship in the Church of Eng land through the Reformation period. During the second or third centuries, which followed, the central point oh worship fell into the background, and during the Hanoverian period Church i life in England was very low. Then came the Oxford movement, which had brought about the Holy Communion a: the central point of worship. En* thusiasm was kindled and splendid revivals followed. The dean said it had to be admitteo that the proportion of Church of England people really interested in thei Church was not large. The proportioi of children who went to. Sunday Sclioo was very small.. In his opinion,, tin people were suffering from “spiiitua. indigestion.” They had been dwelling too much on those difficult monastn services of Mattins and Evensong.am. neglecting the Holy Communion. The} had been content too much with second best. When they had beautiful surround ings in the cathedral and other decorations that would be pleasing to the eyt and restful to the soul, beautiful music and the dignity of simple ceremonial, the dean continued, he was sure tin people would become used to the Communion service and would appreciate it.

The dean described the vestments in use and said the chasuble was but a harmless cape the Lord used. The fig urea on the wafers had no significance and those in use had been purchased ii error. Plain wafers of unleavened bread would be used in future. In con eluding, he appealed to the people to trust him and stand behind him. He was certain they would come to like the service. He again assured them that he was actuated by the desire to do everything for the honour and glory of God. THE VESTMENTS. BISHOP CIIERRINGTON SPEAKS. Reference to the objection made by the Claudelands Church Committee to the use of vestments was made by Bishop Cherrington in the course of a sermon at St. Peter’s Cathedral on Sunday morning. He said the use of vestments and the form of service adopted at the cathedral were quite legal. It might not be expedient to insist on the use of vestments, but it was perfectly legal to use them.