THE PRAYER BOOK

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 114, 11 February 1928, Page 9

THE PRAYER BOOK

THE REVISION STAGE IN THE HOUSES OF CLERGY AND LAITY DISCUSSIONS ON RESERVATION OF THE SACRAMENT The revision stage of the Prayer Book has been opened in the Houses of Clergy and Laity, the message being discussed clause by clause. The reservation of the Sacrament forms the crucial point of the discussions. The Bishops do not take part in the revision stage, but later will consider any amendments passed by the lower Houses.

By Telegraph.—Press Association.—Copyright

(Rec. February 10, 9.40 p.m.) London, February 9. The revision stage of the Prayer Book opened to-day in the Houses of Clergy and Laity. It consists of the discusion of the measure clause by clause,also consideration of the amendments. At least two days will be devoted to this purpose. The Bishops do not take part in the revision stage, but will re-enter the debates at a later date, which has not yet been fixed, in order to consider any amendments passed by the Lower Houses. THE HOUSE OF CLERGY. The Dean of Westminster presicteu over the House of Clergy, and deplored the heavy list of amendments. He said that really the only question was whether the clergy accepted the Bishops’ proposals A clergyman forthwith moved the desirableness of showing confidence in the Bishops by debating only the Bishops’ proposals. This motion was defeated. Another motion suggested allowing each province, Canterbury and York, to decide upon the book separately. A Yorkshire archdeacon contended that the proposal amounted to Presbyterianism. He also denied that the Bishops were unable to issue instructions without the clergy’s concurrence. It would change the entire character of the Anglican Church. The motion was defeated. The House quickly disposed of the prayers for the King, and the rnsertion of a black rubric. Then began a debate upon what the chairman called the crucial point of the discussions, namelv, the reservation of the Sacrament. The discussion proceeded along theological lines until the gallery applauded, a clergyman, who was heartily denouncing all forms of reservation. Another clergyman appealed to the chairman to keep the gallery in order. The chairman demanded silence. The House eventual]v refused by 110 votes to 46 to delete the secon 1 rubric, which provides for the continuous reservation. The House also accepted the first rubric, allowing the dailv extension of the Communion for Hie benefit of the sick. DEBATE IN THE HOUSE OF LAITY.

roval. The Earl of Selborne opened the proceedings and frequent angry scenes intei rupted the speeches. The first motion favoured the rejection of tlie reservation. The mover said reservation was antagonistic to the Church’s history and doctrines. Sir Lewis Dibdin, the Church’s leading legal mind, expressed the opinion that the first rubric was necessary, but the overwhelming opinion of the laity opposed other forms of reservation. He declared that reservation at present was undoubtedly unlawful. He did not wish to truckle to the House of Commons, but it would be better if the book broke down there and then instead of encountering disastrous rejection in Parliament. Lord Justice Phillimore, as father and grandfather of the clergymen, appealed to the House with tears in his eyes not to inflict cruelty and tyranny upon the clergy who found reservation for the sick absolutely necessary. The Earl of Selborne’s heir, Viscount Wolmer, earnestly protested against the idea of submitting to the adverse votes of Scottish, Irish, and Welsh members of the House of Commons He was repeatedly interrupted, members rising in order to refute the allegations, one contending that a majority of the Anglican Commoners voted against the book. Viscount Wolmer concluded: “If we upset the bishops’ settlement owing to the House of Commons’ vote, we shall show ourselves as a Church preferring the loaves and fishes of Establishment to our convictions.” Lord Daryngton expressed the opinion that no speech was more calculated to make the House of Commons reject the book than Viscount Wolnier’s. Lord Hugh Cecil said nothing had done the Church such harm as yielding to the State’s guidance. Some evangelical speakers appealed to Anglo-Catholics to accept solely the first rubric as a compromise, abandoning the second rubric. It was a great sacrifice on the part of the evangelical. General A. J. Kelly, as a converted Anglo-Catholic, eloquently advocated more warmth and colour in the Church service in order to attract congregations. The altar needed lights and ornaments. He sat down amidst prolonged cheers from the galleries, and the Chairman threatened co clear the galleries The House decMed by 202 votes to 51 to proceed with further consideration of the first reservation rubric, and decided by 162 votes to 108 to co on with tlie second rubric anl consideration of tlie amendments thereon to-morrow.—A.P A. and “Sun.”

The House of Laity did not cover the same amount of ground. The reservation rubrics took up the entire day, members being engaged in a battle