especially with the decoration of Churches, their architecture and arrangement.
As time went on the need was felt for more services than had been held in years gone by, and with this there was a desire that shorter services than the Prayer Book contained should be authorized. So in 1867 a Ritual Commission was appointed to consult on the need of making alterations in our Prayer Book, and amending its Rubrics. The only result of this was that an Act was passed authorizing the clergy to have services in their Churches composed of collects culled from the Prayer Book, and a new lectionary was drawn up changing the lessons hitherto appointed to be read in Churches.
The spirit which had animated these changes ultimately infected the people, and it was often very difficult work for the Bisbops to soften the discontent which a section of the people expressed at the influence of the Ritual Movement.
In 1874 an Act was passed, called the Public Worship Regulation Act, chiefy through the work of Archbishop Tait. This Act, says Disraeli, was passed to put down the Ritualists. Whether this be strictly true or not it was aimed against the Ritualistic Movement, and it laid down how to deal with those who too zealously advocated its teaching. This Act would not allow of any alteration or addition being made to the fabric, ornaments, and furniture of the Church, unless lawful authority had been previously secured. Penalties were prescribed for the offenders. But the Act has not proved successful in its working, and many people consider that it has been a failure. It has been disapproved of by many of the clergy and foremost laity, and not long after it
