THE PRAYER BOOK

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 111, 8 February 1928, Page 9

THE PRAYER BOOK

CRITICAL SESSION OF CHURCH ASSEMBLY TO CONSIDER REVISION ENDEAVOUR TO MEET ALL GROUPS At a critical session of the Church Assembly to consider the Prayer Book, the Archbishop of Canterbury said that the House of Bishops had introduced an amended measure, believing it to be the embodiment of all considerations submitted to it by three Houses of Assembly as endeavouring to meet the desires of all groups. By Telegraph.—Press association. Copyright. London, February 6. The Archbishop of Canterbury, presiding at a critical session of the Church Assembly, which is reconsiderng the Prayer Book, was widely congratulatcd on his completing to-day a quarter of a century’s Primateship. He will reach his eightieth birthdav on April 7, and attains his golden wedding on November 12. The Archbishop said that the House of Bishops had introduced an amended measure, believing it to be the embodiment of all considerations submitted to it by three Houses of Assembly as endeavouring to meet the desires ot all groups. The House of Bishops would carefully consider any amendments from the Houses of the clergy and laity. He hoped that no ill-consid-ered word would strengthen those who, because the skein was tangled, would ruthlessly cut something characteristic of England’s life, telling throughout the centuries for public spirit, reverence, and truth. Lord Hugh Cecil was greeted with cheers when he said that a substantial change in the measure would turn him and many other supporters into violent opponents, because he did not anticipate revision to provide benefits by balancing the extreme mischief of accepting from Parliament a substantial change regarding the ministry of the Word and Sacrament. Toleration should be extended to those feeling passionately that the Church and not Parliament must determine strictly spiritual things in relation to the Sacrament. The’State was not a minister of the Divine purpose for this. Voices: “Whv not?” Lord Cecil: “Because it has not been given them from on High.” Lord Cecil added that an important modification of the measure would render the whole enterprise futile. An amendment could not be enforced by appealing to the people’s conscience to obev the Church. If they were asked to obey the House of Commons. What High Churchmen would obey the House of Commons? The position of the upholders of the old Prayer Book was untouched. Voices: "No!” Lord Cecil: “The clergy, at any rate, are unaffected.” Renewed "Noes.”

Lord Cecil: “We can only carry opinion with us, if the bishops', clergy, and laity are seen to be acting freely and independently.” The Assembly adjourned, and the three Houses, ' sitting separately, on February 7, are to consider approving of the proposals.—A.P.A. and "Sun.” TRIBUTE TO ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF PRIMACY BENEFICENT RULE OF CHURCH ’

Rugby, February 6. The Church Assembly met to-day to consider the return to Parliament in an amended form of the Revised Prayer

Book, which the House of Commons recently rejected. The Archbishop of Canterbury, who presided, was celebrating the twenty-, fifth anniversary of his Primacy. When he entered there was a burst of applause, and the whole Assembly rose

in greeting. Tlie Archbishop of

York, paying a tribute to the Archbishop of Canterbury, pointed out that he had served a longer period than any of his predecessors for over 400 years. _ He spoke of Dr. Davidson’s single-minded, wise and beneficent rule of the Church and of the admiration, trust, and affection which the whole Church hud towards him. The Archbishop of York announced that a committee had been appointed in order that some special personal token might be presented to the Archbishop of Canterbury in this outstanding year, in which, incidentally, he would also celebrate his golden wedding.—British Official Wireless.