ANCIENT USAGES OF THE CHURCH.
(Vol. ix., pp. 127. 257.)
As your well-known correspondent from Clyst St. George has addressed an inquiry to you on this subject, it may not be uninteresting to some of your readers to learn that the practice of kneeling at funerals still exists in this neighbourhood. On a cold December day have I seen men, women, and children bend the knee on the bare sod, during the Lord's and the other prayers used in the outdoor portion of our service, not rising till the valedictory grace concluded the service. Indeed, I have never known (at least the majority of) those attending our funerals here, omit this old custom.
That of dressing graves with flowers, at Easter and Whitsuntide, prevails here as in Wales: and the older folks still maintain the ancient practice of an obeisance as often as the Gloria occurs during the ordinary services. The last railful of communicants are also in the habit of remaining in their place at the altar rails till the service is concluded; but whether these observances are widely spread, or merely local, I have not had sufficient opportunity to judge.
J. T. P.
Dewchurch Vicarage.
At the church of South Stoke, near Arundel, I have heard the clerk respond after the Gospel: "Thanks be to God for the Holy Gospel."
At Southwick, near Brighton, the rector was wont (about four years since) to stand up at the "Glory" in the Litany.
The Bishop of London believes bowing the head when the doxology, or ascription of praise, is pronounced, to be a novelty in our Church (Letter to the Knightsbridge Churchwarden, March 28, 1854). I remember an old woman regularly attending the services of Exeter Cathedral, who was wont always to curtsy at the "Glory." And in The Guardian of April 25, W. G. T. alludes to a parish in Staffordshire where the custom prevails. And A. W. says:
"In the western counties of England there are many parishes where the custom of bowing at the 'Gloria' has been universally observed by the poor from time immemorial. I could mention parishes in Worcestershire or Herefordshire where it has always prevailed."