VICAR’S PROTEST

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 46, 18 November 1936, Page 6

VICAR’S PROTEST

Part of Prayer Book Un-Christian The .Rev. G. Maurice Elliott, 53-year-old vicar of St. Peter’s, CrJcklewood, London, is resigning liis living because he disagrees with large portions of the Prayer Book. “Parts oil the Prayer Book are utterly un-Christian,” he said. “They represent God as an angry, unjust, revengeful God who inflicts disease and terrible punishments on those who incur His displeasure. “I do not intend to leave the Church of England. I shall remain iu Holy Orders and hope that some bishop will have the courage to forbid these parts of the Prayer Book being used in his diocese.”

Mr. Elliott gave some of the quotations from the Prayer Book to which he takes exception and added his comments :

“Oh Lord, correct me; but with judgment; not in thine auger. (The sentences.) —“Utterly un-Christian.” “I believe in the resurrection of the flesh” (Baptismal service.) —“I do not believe in the resurrection of the flesh. It is contrary to the teaching of the New Testament and is un-Christian, unscientific, and wholly opposed to common sense.” “Neither take thou vengeance of our sins.” (The Litany.) -—“Fancy asking God not to take vengeance. We do not expect vengeance even from our fellow men.” “Whatsoever your sickness is, know you certainly that it is God’s visitation.” (Visitation of the Sick.) —“This is the worst of all. If you have diphtheria, cancer or other disease, you have the pleasant thought that it is because God loves you that He is chastening you.”