CHARGES OF RITUALISM. BISHOP OF LINCOLN'S CASE. THE PROTEST DISMISSED. London, May 12.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 368, 15 May 1889, Page 5

CHARGES OF RITUALISM. BISHOP OF LINCOLN'S CASE. THE PROTEST DISMISSED. London, May 12.

The Archbishop of Canterbury has dismissed the protest raised by the Bishop of Lincoln that he had no jurisdiction. The question of costs has been reserved.

The trial of the Right Rev. Dr. King, Bishop of Lincoln, for alleged ritualistic and illegal practices was formally opened on February 12th, before the Archbishop of Canterbury at Lambeth Palace. The precedent for the trial is said to be the prose* cution before Archbishop Tenison of Bishop Watson, of St. David's, for simony. Following the example sot in that case, the Primate required the assistance of several of his suffragans, namely, the Bishops of London, Winchester, Oxford, Salisbury and Rochester. The case came before the Archbishop of Canterbury at the instance of "certain members of the Church of England residents in the diocese of Lincoln." Briefly stated, the alleged offences are as follows :—: — 1. The use of lighted candles on the Communion Table, or on tho re-table behind, during the communion service, when not needed for the purpose of giving light. 2. Mixing water with the saci'amental wine during the service, and subsequently consecrating the mixed wine and water. 3. Standing during the consecrating Prayer at the west side of the table, with his back to the people co that they could not see him perform the manual acts of consecration. 4. Standing in the same position during the previous parts of the communion service. 5. Causing the hymn known as " Agnus Dei " to be sung immediately after the consecration prayer. 6. During the absolution, and also during the benediction, in the communion service, making the sign of the cross "consoicuously and ceremoniously," while standing with upraised hands, looking towards the congregation. 7. Being a party to, and taking partinthe ceremony of ablution — that is to say, of pouring wine and water into the paten and chalice used in the celebration of the holy communion, and then drinking up the said wine and water in the face of the congregation.