THE LAYMEN'S LEAGUE.

Auckland Star, Volume XL, Issue 205, 28 August 1909, Page 9

THE LAYMEN'S LEAGUE.

COMBATING RITUALISM. The quarterly meeting of members of the Auckland Laymen's League was held last night, at the lecture hall in the YMCA. roomfl. Mr. W. J. Speight sided. Owing to the inclemency of the weather there was only a moderate attendance. The chairman said that since the memi,s el of the League last mcc the Council -had devoted much time and attention to tie strengthening of the League by the circulation of a knowledge of its winciplee, objects, and mode 01 working throughout all parts of the Dominion, but principally within the bounds of the Auckland diocese. The League's manifesto read at last meeting, had been widely distributed, mainly among churchneople but not exclusively 30. It had met with a most ready acceptance, and there were many who realised the daneera of the Romeward movement within the Church. Of the 10.000 copies of the manifesto which were printed, over 8000 had already been ausorbed. What seemed to be a pressing demand on the part of nnny churchwomen for the right to participate in the work of the League lad been met by the council putting ■upon the notice paper for that meeting a proposal for an alteration in the rules to provide for the admission of women as "associate" members. Steps were being taken for the opening of branches of the League in some centres of population from which a desire for such had been sent. In order to deal in some measure effectively with the doings and designs of the ritualistic propaganda, it ■would be necessary for the League to be ]n a position to afford information to cfiurch people upon all phases of the movement as they present themselves. To this end the council intended to issue, at opportune times, leaflets bearing upon any particnlar feature which called for -attention. To the same end meetings might also be held. But beyond these modes of reaching the people the council had concluded that "a journal" devoted exclusively to the work of the League ■was a necessity, and preliminary arrangements were being made accordingly. Mr. R. R. Hunt brought forward a proposal that "Women shall be eligible for associate membership, and m,<iy be admitted upon the same terms and in tois same manner as men applyinp for ordinary membership. Associate members shall have no voles st meetings of the League, and their annual subscription shall be nominal, no minimum amount being fixed." After discussion it was agreed to defer consideration to a sperinl meeting. THE RITUAL QUESTION. A paper on "The Ritual Question," written by Mr. M. Burton, protesting against the manifesto of thp Laymen's League, was read. Mr. Burton contended: — (1) That the legality of vestments cannot be successfully challenged so long as the present Ornaments Rubric remains in the Prayer Book. (2) That vestments do not necessarily imply belief in Tr&nsubstantiation, eince they are no more distinctively Roman than the Nicene Creed. (3) That the statement that the committee of Bishops "frankly adopted the policy of Lord Halifax and the ritualistic English Church Union,'' is absolutely contradicted by plain facts. ;t-. . (4) That voluntary confession and absolution are expressly and explicitly taught in the exhortation in the Communion service, and in the office for the visitation of the sick. No man can with consistency profess loyally to accept the Prayer Book and at the same time pour contempt on this part of its teaching. (5) That no living progressive, eelfgoverning Church can permanently allow itself to be fettered by certain provisions in its constitution. Good reasons had been shown lor asserting full rights of self-government, and to see in thie movement another " conspiracy " is anti-ritu-alism run mad(6) That the " no-Popery" cry has been utterly discredited by its own history. It was raised against Bishop Selwyn, and Bishop Butler, and even Queen Elizabeth herself. . . (7) That if the-e has been a falling off in church attendance of recent years, it is due to causes common to all the religious bodies, and as regards the give and take between them, the balance, judging by the admissions of leading Nonconform" ists, and the case of the chun-h in Wales, is, if anything, in favour of the Anglican Church. (8) That the general historical position taken up by the Laymen's League is not supported by the best modern historical scholarship.. In conclusion, it was urged that the League, to justify its existence, muet produce actual proof of lawlessness in the diocese of Auckland. Mere assertion, however strongly worded, was .not sufficient. The chairman suggested that as the author of the paper was not present, it would serve no purpose to enter into a . . discussion of the points raised. There ': 'was not. an argument used by the writer :With which they were not acquainted, and in the right place, through the League's journal, they would be replied ■to. A vote of thanks to Mr. Burton for his paper was carried. i> k'Ufthy and interesting paper on Trayer Book Principles" was read by Jar. Symons, who was also passed a learty vote of thanks.