It is truly lamentable to observe how many young men and women, of whom better things might have been expected, fall away into semi-Romanism in the present day, under the attraction of a highly ornamental and sensuous ceremonial. Flowers, crucifixes, processions, banners, incense, gorgeous vestments, and the like never fail to draw such young persons together, just as honey attracts flies. I will not insult the common sense of those who find these things attractive by asking them whether they really believe they get any food from them for heart, and conscience, and soul. But I should like them to consider seriously what these things mean. Do they really know that the doctrines of the mass and transubstantiation are the root of the whole system? Are they prepared to swallow these awful heresies? I suspect many are playing with ritualism without the least idea what it covers over. They see an attractive bait, but they do not see the hook.
J. C. Ryle | Knots Untied (London, 1898), 216 (HT: Neil Jackson)
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Another Anglican once wrote about ritual in a way that seems to me to explain some of the attraction of the RCC or Eastern Orthodoxy:
“…those who dislike ritual in general–ritual in any and every department of life–may be
asked most earnestly to reconsider the question. It is a pattern imposed on the mere flux of our feelings by reason and will, which renders pleasures less fugitive and griefs more endurable, which hands over to the power of wise custom the task (to which the individual and his moods are so inadequate) of being festive or sober, gay or reverent, when we choose to be, and not at the bidding of chance.” – C.S. Lewis, A Preface to Paradise Lost (1942)
I will add that, having grown up believing that my emotions were the key to drinking the cup in a worthy manner, I’ve found Lewis’ comments helpful in thinking about the value in weekly administration of the Lord’s Supper.
I actually went and looked this up when I saw Neil J’s comment on the original post. Exceptional quote from the exceptional Bishop Ryle.