REVISED PRAYER BOOK

Hokitika Guardian, 9 February 1927, Page 2

REVISED PRAYER BOOK

MUCH PUBLIC INTEREST. [Australia & N.Z. Cable Association.' LONDON. February 8. The deep interest in the revision of the Anglican Prayer Book is shown in the prominence with which it is being displayed in belli tbe evening and morning newspapers. The “ Daily Telegraph,” besides at; editorial, devotes sixteen columns to it, setting out lengthy passages in parallel columns. 'The new Prayer Book will be available to the public this morning in paper covers at half a crown apiece. The next stage of the alterations will be submitted to Convocation again on February 22, and will return to the Bishops for a final revision on March 2nd, and finally it will be presented to Convocation on March 2011 1 , and to the Church Assembly on July 4th next. Jt will be submitted to Parliament in the autumn.

The “ Atoriiiug Post ” says in an editorial: “ AVe have reluctantly to confess that the Archbishops of Canterbury and York avoid the main issue which is: AYhy alter the Bock or Common Prayer at all? The inspired wisdom of the original framers insisted upon a uniform use. The proposals for the revision are particularly unfortunate at a time when tlie need of the laitv is for definite, authoritative guidance.- The Revised Prayer Book must lead to endless confusion, which will not lie mended by tlie suggestion that each Parochial Church Council should decide which usage shall lie adopted. We cannot believe tliat either the Churc-h or Parliament will accept the the revision.”

The “Daily Telegraph” says: “It must he borne in mind that the new Look is not offered as likely, for a moment. to satisfy completely any single section of the Churchmen. It is submitted as the only kind of alternative Book for which the rulers of the Church at the present juncture, can anticipate a general acceptance. It has at least the merit that it is not a hook of any party in the Church. Probably, it is not the ideal of any single person, and should it receive legal sanction, it will yet he no more than a permissable alternative to the Book of 1002. It will be on probation long after it has received the imprimatur of the Church and of the State.”