PRAYER BOOK REVISION

Evening Star, Issue 19456, 14 January 1927, Page 7

PRAYER BOOK REVISION

A DRAMATIC PROTEST PROCESSION TO LAMBETH PALACE PRIVATE CONFERENCE OF BISHOPS. Press Association— By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, January 12. A procession of clergy and laity, organised jointly by the Protestant Alliance and the League of Loyal Churchmen, marched to Lambeth Palace simultaneously with the opening of a momentous ten days’ private) conference of bishops of the Church of England under the presidency of the Archbishop of Canterbury on unrevealed proposals for the revision of the Prayer Book. The procession was headed by a banner inscribed: “Warning to bishops. Church is in danger. God says remove not the ancient landmark which thy fathers set up. Respect the Prayer Book, which was given us by our martyred reformers.” On arrival the party knocked at and entered the gates, and were received by the archbishop’s chaplain, to whom they handed the petition condemning Romish practices, and also the fact that the conference is in private, adding that secrecy is abhorrent to the English nature. The petition referred to the proposals as a “base betrayal on the part of those who should be the guardians of divine truth. We are asked to accept your lordship’s proposals. This wo will never do.” The greatest contention is over the altered communion rites- The bishops are endeavoring to find a compromise between the Anglo-Catholic and the evangelical opinion- When the bishops agree as to the precise changes they will be presented to convocation, after which tbev will be presented in final draft to the church assembly in July. Ultimately the House of Commons must approve-