REVISED PRAYERBOOK

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 8 February 1927, Page 5

REVISED PRAYERBOOK

RECEIVED FROM ARCHBISHOP.

ITS PROPOSALS SUMMARISED. IMPORTANT CHURCH EVENT. OY CABLE-PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT Received 10.20 a.m. to-day. LONDON, Feb. 7. The most important ecclesiastical event in the Church of England during lLiug memory occurred to-day, when the convocations within Canterbury and York met at Church House, Westminster, to receive from the Archbishop the draft copy of the revised prayer book, consisting of nearly lour hundred pages. The Archbishop of Canterbury, in presenting tlie revision, said that a new background had been given to men’s minds as the result of their war experiences. It bad become inevitable that there rfiust be some modification in the direction of enrichment or elasticity, and some facility for less rigid thought ii : they were not to get out of touch with a great number of presentday familiar thoughts. Though the new book was termed i>rov*isional, and subject to amendment, it was in the larger sense, final. iLc* was aware* that brethren overseas were watching the deliberations keenly. Perhaps none could regard the new book a© an ideal alternative, but he believed it would meet the requirements of many who felt that their requirements had not been met hitherto. He believed it would draw closer some who were now disunited, though some would be disappointed. Summarising the proposals, the Arehbishov of Canterbury said that the new book was permissive, and would, in no sense, be forced upon those unwilling to Teceive it. It was composite, containing the old prayer book. The majority of -the changes dealt wholly with controversial things., permitting the shortening of the litany, to make the use of the Athanasian creed voluntary, enriching the office for the burial or the dead, and omitting some r<?f<?rc j n<*G of Old Tost-tHnon!} p&tiiurch*s from the orders of baptism and matrimony.