PRAYER BOOK

Hokitika Guardian, 21 December 1927, Page 2

PRAYER BOOK

HOUSE OF BISHOPS MEET. [.Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.] LONDON, Dec. 19. The House of Bishops met at Lambeth Palace to consider the crisis. The conference continues to-morrow when it is expected a statement ol guidance for clergy and laity will ne issued. Mr Kenworthy proposes that tne revised Prayer Rook should again be passed by the Convocation Assembly and again presented to pailianunt next session, when be is convinced > l would be passed by a large majority. 'Pile question is largely debated, m the lobbies to-day. The general view seems to be that Commoner voters were within their rights, since Hie Church is an established body and they are defending the rights of Parliamentarians of whatever creed. Even Sakhitavla has a vote on the Prayer Book. .Toynson Hicks in an interview pointed out Anglicans lived in every constituency, moreover Protestantism fleeted the entire nation, not meivh- the English portion. “I imagine Scotland would consider it a great evil if the English Church were really reunited with tho Church of Rome, lie

added. , Sir Jovnson Hicks contesting the argument .that non-English votes outweighed EmMish Commoners in the Prayer Book division, says liotcst.in - U,n concerns Scotsmen and AA .Ashmen equallv u.lh EngJMnuen. Britam wants to remain Protestant and d-.es not want to fight the battles of tne sixteenth century. Replying to a complaint that nonconformists and others helped to defeat (the Book, ho points out that similar people voted in the affirma n .■ Mitchell in reply to Campbell sUt--olf ho was a member of the l ndea 1-roe Church of Scotland though >»<• also belongs to the Tl.cosnplust .oriety.

BISHOPS AT LAMBETH PALACE

LONDON, Dec. 20. The Archbishop of Canterbury at the Lambeth Palace meeting invited all Bishops to state their views before a general discussion. After tjus °" 0 after another rose up and spoke with warmth and fervour. The personal expressions occupied nearly the whole session. . The Archbishop remained tor an hour closeted with the Bishop of Norwich, who led the attack in the Lords.

PRAYER BOOK QUESTION. [“Sydney Sun” Cables.) (Received this day at 8.30 a.m.) LONDON, Dec. 20. “AVe sympathise with the Bishops •md are asking for special prayers on their behalf in all Baptist churches on Christmas Day,” states McAubrey, Secretary of the Baptist Union. Ho added that Baptists are nut rejoicing. l„il are grateful for Hie defeat of tho Book. They realise the bitter disappointment to the Reverend Anglican leaders, but the new Book meant the distribution of the hopes of Protestants. Baptists trust the rejection will demonstrate the country’s ingrained Protestantism, and thereby open the way to co-operation.

Lord Pal-moor who is regarded as a high authority on ecclesiastical law, expresses the opinion that (lis-cstablisb-nioiit would not afloat the King’s Accession Oath Act, 153-1, which made the King the bead of the English ChiucTi. The only change in the oath was the deletion of the reference to the Roman Church, prior to the present King’s Accession.

FURTHER VIEWS. LONDON, Dec. 20. The “Daily Telegraph” ecclesiastical crresponclent says among the suggestions at Lambeth Conference was one that the Convocation be invited to give full synodical approval to the Book. 'Ellis, however, was felt to have too much of the appearance of a challenge to the States authority. Another suggestion was the withdrawal of the amendment by omitting temporarily the offices of communion. This course would necessarily need much time, involving the passage !>v various church legislature bodies, life view generally livid was that one night’s debate in the Commons wan too short, leaving no opportunity for correcting an obvious misunderstanding.

The Archbishop of Canterbury set the tone of the meeting by deprecating criticism of those who lelt it their duty to vote for rejection. He took the view that they had relied on spiritual guidance.

“I dare say you are expecting me to say how the Bishops are getting on at Lambeth” said the Bishop of London at a Duplex movement dinner. “Wild horses could not drag a statement from me. I can only say we are not a bit down-hearted and are determined to ensure that the Church keeps its self respect.” The latter necessitated self support which was why lie believed ill the Duplex Movement whereby Captain Watson, the founder, raised £2,500,003 sterling, producing an income of half a million yearly. The Movement is capable of adding fifty millions to the churches’ resources. LONDON, Dec. 19. In connection with the Prayer Book controversy. Lord Birkenhead writes: “'The Bishops cannot take disciplinary measures regarding matters in the NewBook sanctions, therefore Commoners hysterical decision under the influence of the crudest “No Popery” speeches, which ought not to have influenced iphoolboys. The debate has already perished stillborn. Instead of destroying the book it lias given it greater force than if it were accepted. Every clergyman can, with impunity employ the Book and will, in my judgment lie

wise in so doing.” The “Times” Political correspondent says a majority of Bishops present at Lambeth Conference received many communications, chiefly in urging ruling out of d is-establishment. and noninterference with the balance of the Book, although it suggested the book might he made clearer on certain points. It is also suggested the Prayer for the King la- obligatory at morn-

ing service. The seriousness of the issues probably precludes anything but an Intel im statement before Christmas. The Bishops will later give a clear exposition of their aims, .showing the necessity for the Book to preserve unity.