PRAYER BOOK

Hokitika Guardian, 19 December 1927, Page 2

PRAYER BOOK

DIVERGENT OPINIONS. [ Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.] LONDON. Dec, lfi, Ecclesiastical authorities point out tHiit it is quite possible that the convocation may ignore the decision of the House of Commons, and declare the measure the accepted law ol the Church. That would mean disestablishment; hut it woilld have the tactical advantage of compelling Parliament to take action on its own defeiue. It is unlikely that this course will he adopted. Disestablishment is not easy, as if the King was no longer compelled to belong to the Church, there is no reason why be should not he a Methodist or a Roman Catholic. The Protestant Alliance has issued a statement that there need he no talk of disestablishment, because the C hurch is an integral part of the nation’s Protestantism ; nor need there he chaos. It only remains for the Bishops to take action. There need he no appearance of martyrdom ; it is simply a ease of putting the right men in the right place. Certain closely interested parties sav they will not be surprised if some Bishops resigned.

So certain were the authorities that a majority for the Prayer Book was assured, that they fixed the Convocations for both Canterbury and York for Monday, on the assumption that the Royal Assent would he given early next week. The Bishops must now decide whether or not they will hold these meetings. In the second place, there is the question of the University printing presses, which, as privileged publishers, have prepared type lor a tremendous issue. About 100,000 pa-per-coveted hooks have already been published. The most serious aspect o! all. however, is the question of discipline. Practices which were illegal according to the old Player Rbok, have proceeded undisturbed because the authorities counted on their being legalised ill the new Prayer Book. Alreadv the more extreme Protestants are demanding the enforcement of discipline against the Anglo-Catliolies, oil the grounds of their illegal practices in this connection. The Primate’s message was undoubtedly issued as a steadying influence. Not the least interesting aspect ol the division was the state ol the parties. Labour voted: In favour 35, against 53; Conservatives: For IG7. against lfil ; Liberals: For 2. against 23; Independent. For 3, against 3. The mass of Liberal opinion is against revision. and gives interest to Sir R. ]|. John Simon’s declaration at Bradford to-day. when lie said it is the State connection which caused the difficulty, If the day ever came when the Church of its own free will assumed the position, claiming in matters of liturgy a doctrine ol Ireedoni iroin Parliamentary control, none Would he more ready to support and defend her claim than Liberal members of the Commons.

Commenting on the position, Bishop Barnes of Birmingham says that the House of Commons has shown it will not surrender the heritage ol the R" formation. “ I urge the majority of the Bishops to show their magnanimity and to ensure the non-contentions proposals speedily becoming law. Simultaneously, there must ho a reform in Church Law and the Church Courts, so that wlieii a man breaks solemn oaths and promises made at his institution to a living, he can he deprived thereof.”

The Bishop of Lincoln says the vote is simply deplorable. "It is so serious. I prefer silence, pending mature consideration.” The Bishop of Plymouth declares: “ It. is the heaviest blow struck at the Church in my lifetime.” The Bishop of Ely said: "It is a blow to unity, discipline, progress and reality ill Church worship.” The Bishop of Hereford says: ‘‘The rejection of the motion raises most serious questions, hut I hope tile rule of charity will not he forgotten,’* The Bishop of Sodor and Alan declares: "The Kingdom of God does not depend on human statesmanship. \\’e shall he heavily handicapped, hut we must bravely carry on.”

The Bishop of Fordsham, Vicar of Halifax, says: “The rejection makes little dilfereilee to public Worship. It means rather the postponement or a practical attempt to unite and strengthen Episcopal administration.” The Bishop of Liverpool says: “The decision means a spiritual disaster. The Church must he gravely weakened for many years by the refusal of Parliament to endorse its leader’s policy.”

The Bishop of Bradford says he is greatly disappointed by it, hut quiet consideration is needed to discover a course host to promote the welfare of the Church and nation. LONDON, Dec. 1(1.

The rejection of the Prayer Book has profoundly stirred all sections of the Community< All day long, messages of sympathy from opponents and sympathisers have been arriving for the Archbishop of Canterbury, whose tragic figure stood out even above the dramatic rejection of the Prayer Booh. The result completely surprised the country. Not for years have Parliamentary votes been so swayed by oratory. Supporters do not conceal the fact that their case was badly put to the House. Sir Jornson Hicks, who so ably led (be attack against what seemed a foregone majority, said the Prayer Boo 1 was now dead. The decision was clear, and it was time all began to work together to consolidate the Church on old lines, putting away the new doctrines of Anglo-Catholieism, and working wholeheartedly with the great Nonconformists for the, good of the whole land.

LONDON. Dec. 1(1. The “ Daily Mail." in a leader, says the Church’s differences prove its vitality. The intense attachment to the old Prayer Book is not surprising, since it has been part of the life of England for three hundred years. Just what the next move will he is unknown. Perhaps a statement from the Bishops on Monday may help to clear up the position. It has been suggested that the Church Assembly may again bring the Prayer Book forward, without its controversial points and alternative Communion. It is authoritatively pointed out, however, sue Bishops are resolutely opposed to this compromise. Every time it is suggested, they say it will completely fail to meet tlie situation, because it is certain to be rejected.

The Anglo-Catholic Church Assembly and commoners who supported the new Prayer Book are equally despairing of the future, and invariably see nothing but chaos and disorder, with disestablishment looming in the background. •Some have expressed the opinion that had two days been allowed for the debate to permit of the dying down of emotions aroused by the oratory, which has not been excelled for years in tbe Commons, the result might have been different. PRAYED BOOK UPSET. LONDON. Dec. 1(5. A repetition of the Prayer Book means the scrapping of a hundred thousand new books already old. PRAYER BOOK DEBACLE. LONDON, Dec. IC. The Archbishop pf Canterbury says

everyone will recognise tlio gravity of the situation regarding the life, work and worship of the Church of England. The Archbishops of Canterbury and York are next week consulting other Bishops, thereafter issuing a statement to guide clergy and laity in a time of confusion and anxiety. The Archbishops asks for patience and charity to he exercised and that preel pa to words and acts la? avoided pending a statement.