THE PRAYER BOOK.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 48, Issue 164, 23 April 1928, Page 4

THE PRAYER BOOK.

Sir, —Whilst reading my copy of Saturday’s edition of the “Guardian,” I was astounded at what appeared to be actual truth contained in “ Anglican’s” letter in regard to the new Prayer Book. Receiving my early training in the Anglican Churfch, and having the Prayer Book in ray library, I began to examine “ Anglican’s” statements. Quoting from the Prayer Book, “Anglican” says the “inward pari ” is there defined as “the body and blood of Christ, which are verily and indeed taken and received.” The above statement is indeed in the Prayer Book catechism; but why does our worthy friend omit the words “or tiling signified” ? The receiving of the bread and wine is symbolical or emblematical. It signifies the receiving of Christ and His life into the life of the communicant. Article 28 of tire Prayer Book teaches that the means whereby the body of Christ is received into the life is faith. Now, everyone knows that faith is an act of the intelligence and not of the mouth. ' The New Testament (Heb. ix.) pictures Christ as dying and shedding His blood once only, hut not at every Communion service, as would he necessary if the bread and wine used in that service were actually transferred into the real body and real blood of Christ. LOVER OF TRUTH.