The New Departure; Or, Thoughts for Loyal Churchmen

A thoughtful clergyman opens a candid discussion about the difficulty of speaking fairly on theological disputes when the parties involved lack clear, authoritative statements. He illustrates this problem with examples from the Reformation and the puzzling “Brethren” groups, showing how even well‑meaning commentary can stumble without solid documentation. The essay then turns to the Anglican scene, where the rise of Tractarianism and later Ritualism has left many loyal churchmen uncertain about where they truly stand.

The author distinguishes two competing visions of “High” churchmanship: one rooted firmly in the Book of Common Prayer and traditional doctrine, the other seeking a richer, more elaborate worship that drifts toward Roman practices. He argues that this split has long been evident in sermons, pamphlets, and ceremonial trends, yet remained hard to prove without official pronouncements. Recent deliberations at the Derby Church Congress, however, have finally produced a clear, quasi‑authoritative statement that promises to settle some of the lingering confusion.