_Preaching in Nave only.--Prayers and Preaching distinct Services_--In
Ely Cathedral the old and proper custom of sermons being delivered in
the nave only is still maintained. And this observance has doubtless led
to the continuance of another, which is a sufficient answer to those who
object to the length of our service, as it shows that formerly in
practice, as still in principle, prayers and preaching were distinct
services. In the morning of Sunday there is no sermon in either of the
parish churches in Ely, but prayers only; and those of the respective
congregations who wish to hear a sermon remove to the cathedral, where
they are joined by the ecclesiastics and others who have "been to
choir". Consequently, any one may "go to sermon" (I use the language of
the place) without having been to prayers, or to prayers in one of the
parish churches, or the choir, without necessarily hearing the sermon.
I think it would be very interesting, if your widely scattered
correspondents would from time to time communicate in your columns such
instances of any variation from the now usual mode of celebrating divine
service as may fall under their _personal_ observation.