Untitled - Electric Scotland

1856-60] LETTER TO THE CHURCHWARDENS 239
of their duty above described, and they are certainly so respon
sible. The Committee of Vestry is of opinion that they are most
assiduous in the performance of their duty, and I shall be truly
glad
to find that this is so.
"This is the strict legal aspect of the case, as regards the
complaint on the Rector s part respecting the alleged disturbance
of public worship, and as regards the remedy which ought to be
applied.
"(2)
The complaint of the Vestry, which you forward to me,
has reference to the alleged exciting cause of such disturbance.
You state, as I understand you, that these disturbances arose
from the exasperation of feeling caused by the objectionable mode
in which you allege that the Rev. Bryan King, the Rector, and
those appointed by him, celebrate Divine Service in the Parish
Church, and also by the inconvenience of the hour appointed by
the Rector for the afternoon lecture.
" You therefore request me to restore the afternoon (lecture)
service to the hour of 3 or 3.30, and to prohibit the use of un
accustomed vestments by the officiating clergy. I gather from
your letter, and the report enclosed, that there are other matters
in the ceremonial of the parish Church, which you consider to
be causes of dissension, and, in particular, you bring under my
notice the mode in which the morning service was conducted on
Sunday, August 28, by a strange clergyman designated the Rev.
Frederick George Lee.
"(a) As to the hour of the afternoon (lecture) service, you
are aware that the arrangements respecting this lecture were very
lately made the subject of proceedings before a Court of Law,
and my understanding of the decision of the learned judge in the
case is, that it was left to the Rector to fix such hour as he
deemed fit and proper for the lecture. I write at a distance from
the means of verifying this impression, but, subject to correction
and better information, I am of opinion that I have no legal
authority to order the hour to be changed. Your request on this
subject must, I apprehend, be addressed to the Rector, and not
to me.
"
(b) With regard to the mode of celebrating Divine Worship
in the parish Church, I understand you to complain that at 4
o clock on Sundays the Litany is used as a separate Choral
service.
"
If your objection be to the celebration in the parish Church