A RITUALISTIC INTERIOR.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2604, 14 May 1877, Page 3

A RITUALISTIC INTERIOR.

The following description of the interior of St. James' church, Hatcham, the most recent rebellious Church, will interest our readers:—The building is of the early English style affected by Ritualists, with a rood beam, on which is displayed a fullsized effigy of our Saviour. The chancel is separated from the nave by an. open choir screen of oak with iron gates, having on the north side the sacristy, surmounted by an orchestra loft, and on the south side an organ chamber. The oaken lecterns for heading the prayers and for "even-song" celebrations are just in front of the choir screen, while the pulpit is on the north side of the nave under the rood beam. The decorations are not yet completed, but they consist of the ordinary fresco wall painting of a style consonant with the architecture of the building, the only special feature being some panel paintings in the dado of the choir screen, which are the more remarkable from their oeing said to be the work of the vicar himself; As works of art they are decidedly rococo, but their realistic style makes them startling. There are four on each side of the central gates, and commencing on the north side the subjects are—"The Angel of Darkness," robed in green; "The Good Angel," draped in white; "Darkness," typified by the five foolish virgins; "Light," by the five wise virgins; "Vice," typified4# an ancient sinner walking in darkness; and " Virtue," by the exercise of charity; So far, these paintings would pass without much comment, but then come "Hell" and "Heaven,' The former is represented by a monstrous dragon's mouth belching forth flames, and a green Satan, with a sardonic grin on his countenance, calling attention to the torment of a knot of sinners half submerged by the fiery waves by, which they are surrounded. In " Heaven " the Deity is boldly presented in human form, seated on the arc of a circle and nursing a lamb ; while two ministering angels are on the right hand and the left. Beneath are a few worshippers in attitudes of adoration, with the back view of a central kneeling figure guarded in some "vestment," which is symbolically ornamented. Of the impropriety and b,ad taste of such representations as these there can be no doubt. Through the altar screen the high altar is seen, dressed with huge wax candles some of them the "mass lights," which are only lighted at communion service; others the " vesper lights " for even-song, and smaller ones for "low celebrations," and yet two others before the " sedelia," or officiating priests, on the south side ot the altar steps. Prominent on the reredos were the figures of which the parishioners complain, while picturesquely arranged are the-veiled chalice and other sacerdotal vessels—the paten, the alter prayers, and the other paraphernalia common to Ritualists and to Eomanists, interspersed with bouquets of flowers.—Orangeman..