Remarks upon the First Report of the Royal Commission on Ritual in connection with the integrity of the Book of Common Prayer: A lecture delivered at the Annual Meeting of the Brighton Branch of the English Church Union, Nov. 27, 1867

"Remarks upon the First Report of the Royal Commission on Ritual in connection with the Integrity of the Book of Common Prayer" by The Rev. M. W. Mayow is a lecture transcribed from a 1868 edition, primarily serving as a critical discourse on the implications of the Royal Commission's findings regarding church practices in the context of the Church of England. Written during the Victorian era, this book reflects on the rituals and ceremonial practices associated with public worship and seeks to protect the existing norms of the Book of Common Prayer from proposed alterations that could alter its integrity. The text articulates concerns regarding the potential changes to the ceremonial law governing worship, particularly focusing on the use of vestments during services. Mayow contends that even if certain vestments are deemed non-essential, their removal threatens to undermine the very character of the church’s worship and its doctrinal significance. The lecture emphasizes the need for vigilance against any legislative changes proposed by the Commission, positing that such modifications would represent a broader erosion of the Church’s Catholic status and a blow to traditional Christian doctrines. Ultimately, Mayow calls for a unified defense of the Prayer Book and argues that the current crisis over liturgical practices is a significant threat not only to the Church of England but also to the greater Christian community’s unity and heritage.