Untitled - Electric Scotland

i86o-68] RITUAL AT ST. ALBAN S 427
their favour. Let me say, however, that I am sure the same
amount of influence might be gained, and would be free from
the objections so commonly urged against it, if the services of
the Church were restrained within those limits of which, as
Diocesan, I could heartily approve. It is not the heartiness of
the services that any one objects to, but certain peculiarities, the
effect of which is to break down the distinction between the
reformed service of the Church of England and the unreformed
service of the Church of Rome.
"I have heard Mr. Hubbard speak in the highest terms of
you, and, if you are continued in the office of Churchwarden, I
trust you may be able, in co-operation with him, to suggest such
an alteration of the services as may avoid the offence at present
given, while the hearty and cheering
character of the whole is
preserved. ... -I am, your faithful servant,
"
A. C. LONDON."
On January 4, 1867, Mr. Mackonochie wrote to the
Bishop to say that in consequence
of the remonstrance
contained in the Bishop s Charge, which had been pub
lished a few weeks before, 1 and in consequence also of
the opinions expressed by the Lower House of Convoca
tion in the previous summer, 2 he had decided to modify
the ritual of St. Alban s in certain important particulars.
He enclosed at the same time a printed address to his
parishioners explaining his views upon ritual symbolism
generally.
The Bishop replied as follows :
The Bishop of London to the Rev. A. H. Mackonochie.
" MY
"BRIGHTON, Wi Jan. 1867.
DEAR MR. MACKONOCHIE, I have to thank you for
your letter of the 4th, and for sending me the printed paper.
I hail the desire which you express in your letter to make the
service at St. Alban s more accordant with my wishes, and with
what I feel convinced are the requirements of the Church of
England, and I shall be glad to learn that the changes which
1 See page 441.
2 See page 405.