1.  Liberty.  2.  Order  and  Fit-
ness. 3.  Edification.  4.  Eestric-
tion.  The  Eefomiation  of  the
English  Eitual  ruled  by  these
principles.
The  right  and  duty  of  revising  it,  as
historically  developed  :— 1.  Under
associations  of  heathenism;  2.
Under  corruptions  of  doctrine.
Conservative  spuit  of  Anglican
Protestantism  the  strongest  con-
demnation of  a  retrograde  move-
ment.
SCRIPTURE  AND  RITUAL.
We  are  now  in  full  view  of  an  organised  and  outspoken  effort  to
change  the  received  ritual  of  the  English  Church,  and  restore
to  it  an  aspect  which  ten  generations  have  not  seen.  It  is  part
of  a  doctrinal  movement  which  aims  at  more  vital  change ;  and
the  most  effective  part,  since  it  attracts,  through  natural  tastes
or  the  sensational  temper  of  the  day,  allies  whom  no  previous
doctrinal  sympatliies  would  have  secured,  and  is  directed  against
a  position,  the  occupation  of  which  would  be,  not  only  the
removal  of  a  present  barrier,  but  the  acquisition  of  a  strong  basis
for  further  advance.  It  would,  indeed,  be  an  inconceivable
simplicity  which  could  now  regard  the  ritualistic  movement  as
ending  in  outward  and  visible  change,  but  even  when  so  regarded,
it  is  seen  to  tend  distinctly  to  the  disruption  of  the  Church.
The  matter  is  already  carried  into  the  two  courts  of  Law  and
Opinion.  The  former  may  decide  for  the  present,  but  the  latter
will  decide  in  the  end ;  for  the  sense  of  the  Church  when
sufficiently  formed  and  ascertained  will  have  its  way,  and  either
by  fresh  legislation,  or  by  interpretations  put  upon  existing
statutes,  the  Law  will  infallibly  yield  to  Opinion.
