Page:Hints towards peace in ceremonial matters.djvu/11

Rh rather than of litigation. Some general principles must clearly govern such an agreement, and of these I venture to suggest the following:—

(1) Compatibility with the spirit of the Reformed Church of England as a whole, in its widest and most tolerant aspect, as represented by all the leading Churchmen of the Reformation century. (2) Respect for primitive antiquity and the traditions of the Universal Church. (3) Capability of proof without reference to the practices of the mediæval and later Church of Rome.

Not many years ago, such practices as the reservation of the chancel for the persons immediately concerned in the performance of Divine worship, and the adoption of choral service and of surpliced choirs, were often causes of fierce dispute. Now they have, happily, passed into the class of questions which settle themselves according to local circumstances. My object and desire is to pave the way for a similar happy consummation as to certain matters which at present seem to be of a contentious complexion.

Up to the date of the Purchas judgment, the position of the priest at the Lord's Table during the office of Holy Communion, and especially at the Prayer of Consecration, was believed to have passed into the class of self-adjusting questions. Up to the date of Mr. Justice Keating's judgment as to the Exeter reredos, the same could be said as