NEW PRAYER BOOK

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 8 February 1927, Page 9

NEW PRAYER BOOK

LATE EDITION

CONTROVERSIAL MATTERS. WHAT HAS BEEN PROVIDED USE OF ALTERNATIVE ORDERS.. BY CABLE —PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT. Received 11.40 a.m. to-day. LONDON, Feb. 7. Continuing his address on the revised prayer book, the Archbishop of Canterbury, turning to matters which could not be called uncontroversinl, said: “On Holy Communion we adopted your own suggested rubric with regard to clergy’s vesture. We are giving sanction to the optional use of the alternative order for Communion. This will, no doubt, be challenged in some quartets, but we are sanguine that we have found a satisfactory solution of the problem. Regarding the anxious question of reservation of the consecrated elements for the communion of the sick, there is no question that a demand has grown up which calls for consideration. Accordingly the rubrics provide for reservation of the elements to he used for communion of the sick and for other purposes. The conditions under which we authorise reservation are set forth with unmistakable clearness in the proposed rubric. “The other alterations include the deletion of the word ‘obey’ in the bride’s responses. Both bride’s and Widegroom’s responses will be identi- %]. New prayers proposed to meet «odern requirements will be for the peace of the world, for the League of Nations, for election times, for seafarers, and for industrial peace. “The burial service contains a permissive prayer which is less stern and gloomy than the existing commital prayer, and referring directly to the dead person. Permission is also given, under certain conditions, to use an extempore prayer. It is an experiment which some "will deem rash. Its posvsible danger is indisputable, but we believe, on the whole, that it will be a great gain. “Having summarised what seemed to me to be the more important proposals, I say emphatically, in my deliberate judgment, that nothing we have suggested makes any change in the doctrinal position of the Church of England. Its distinctive basis remains sure and is enriched by the development of thought, the acquisition of fresh knowledge, and the upgrowth .of new theories for the exposition of a truth manifold, yet one and indestructible. I again remind you that our proposals are only permissible; those who find in the old prayer hook all they desire can rest content in those pastures still.’’

In concluding, the Archbishop of Canterbury pointed out that to-day was the twenty-fifth anniversary of his ■archbishopric. ' The Archbishop of York said that the bishops recommend the issue, of a composite hook in which the existing book of common prayer and permitted additions, alterations, and alternatives are placed side by side. Only in one small respect has the position of the prayer book been modified, namely, the new rubrics. These are neither numerous nor of great importance. We have sought, however imperfectly, to make the prayer hook as inclusive as possible. Our desire has been to obtain not a compromise for the sake of peace, but rather comprehension for the sake of the truth, fullness, and richness of the one fellowship of faith and life.

CONTROVERSIAL SUBJECTS. BTSHOP RECOMMENDS POSTPONEMENT. Received 11.55 a.m. to-day. LONDON, Feb. 7. The Bishop of Birmingham has issued a statement declaring: “I cordially support the majority of tile proposals, which are desirable, as two and a half centuries have passed since the last revision of the prayer book. I cannot agree with all. Unfortunately, such a variety of worship is now permitted that a visitor to a strange church might not be able to follow the service. Extempore prayer may lead to the invocation of the saints. The new consecration prayer brings the Communion service nearer to the Roman mass. Although it is difficult to derive the doctrine of transuh-•stantiation-therefrom, the dexterity of theological casuists may misinterpret an innocent formulae.”

He suggests the possibility of consecrated elements being placed on the “tabernacle” before which simple people are taught to pray, and states that thus the whole cult of transub•stantiation can be started with the apparent consent of the church. “I urge the church to adopt the lioncontentious proposals and to postpone the new consecration prayer and the reservation of the sacrament for a generation when the demands for them have disappeared.”