THE PRAYER BOOK

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVIII, Issue 167, 14 June 1928, Page 7

THE PRAYER BOOK

MEASURE IN THE COMMONS, GALLERIES CROWDED.

TWO VITAL MATTERS EMPHASISED.

(United Press Association.-—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (British Official Wireless.) Received June 14, 11.5 a.m. RUGBY, June 13. The galleries of the House of Commons were crowded to-day, when Sir Boyd Merriman, Solicitor-General, introduced the revised Prayer Book measure.

The Archbishops of Canterbury and York, and several bishops were in the Peers’ Gallery. Sir Boyd Merriman emphasised that the two vital matters in regard to the revised Prayer Book were discipline in the Church and tho underlying doctrines of tho new book. Ho declared it was possible to give undue weight to certain extravagances within the Church of England when one considered the number of loyal servants faithfully doing their duty. The Prayer Book was not designed to legalise these illegalities. With regard to church discipline, Sir Boyd Merriman asked what chance would there bo if tho measure were rejected of retaining loyal clergy, who had already been adopting ceremonies which were permitted in the book, and which were so permitted with tho knowledge that behind them was tho overwhelming majority of tho bishops and of the clergy; and if the measure were rejected how could the bishops possibly demand that those who were exceeding tho proposed limits should come within those limits.

He submitted that on the grounds of the restoration of discipline there was an overwhelming case for the passing of this measure.

Sir Boyd Merriman further contended that the* hook maintained the Protestant character of the Church of England, and that additions or amendments which had been instituted made that position abundantly clear.

In defending the reservation of tho sacrament, Sir Boyd Merriman reminded the House of those padres to whom the army owed so much during the war—those padres who had never practised reservation before reserved the sacrament, which had been consecrated in battery or battalion headquarters, and carried it in under their gas helmets into the front lino trenches or gunpits and administered it to men who were in greater peril than these who were in hospital.

“Are these, men lightly going to give up a practice which lias such sacred associations for them, and of which they have realised spiritual benefit?” ho asked.

Sir Samuel Roberts, Conservative member for Plereford, who opposed the motion, argued that the new Prayer Book would put back any chance of reunion with the great non-conformist churches of this country. He declared that tiie belief in the Real Presence, which was indicated in the book, was not tho Protestant religion. Commander Kenwortliy, Labour, member for Central Hull, stated that the Church of England was a Catholic as well as a Protestant Church, and it had to bo a comprehensive church and to open its arms alid receive all those brethren and priests who. had accepted this compromise. For tho sake of peace, for the sake of the ultimate peace which would enable the church to get on with its work a social as well as a religious compromise was justified.