REVISED PRAYER BOOK

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 7 February 1928, Page 5

REVISED PRAYER BOOK

MEETING OF CHURCH ASSEMBLY A CRITICAL SESSION ARCHBISHOP, OF CANTERBURY'S APPEAL (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) (A.P.A. and "Sun") (Received 7th February, 12.15 p.m.) LONDON, 6th February. The Archbishop of Canterbury, presiding at a critical session of the Church Assembly reconsidering the Prayer Book, was widely congratulated today on the completion of a quarter of a century's primates!)ip, which is a four hundred years' record. Ho reaches' his eightieth birthday on 7U„ April, and his golden wedding on 12th Nov«'»bn-.

The are.hliishop said Min House of Bishops introduced the amended measure believing it, the embodiment, of all considerations. lie submitted it to the three houses of the assembly who are endeavouring to meet the desires of all groups.. The House of Bishops would cheerfully consider any amendment from the Houses' of Clergy and Laity.- lie hoped on ill-con-sidered word would strengthened those who because the skein is tangled, would ruthlessly cut out something characteristic oB Fnglancl s life. LORD HUGH CECIL’S THREAT Received 7th February 12.50 a.m.) LONDON, 6th February. Lord Hugh Cecil was greeted with cheers when ho said “A substantial change in the. measure would turn me and many supporters into violent opponents, because we do not anticipate the revision to provide benefits balancing! the extreme mischief of accepting from Parliament a substantial change regarding the ministry of the Word and sacrament. Toleration should be extended to those feeling passionately that the Church, not Parliament, must determine strictly spiritual things ; n relation to the sacrament. The State was not a minister of divine purpose, for this.” Voices: “Why not?” Lord Cecil: “Because it has not been given them from on high.” Lord Cecil added that an important modification of the measure would render the whole enterprise futile. An amendment could not he enforced by appealing to the people’s conscience to (lie Church. If they were asked to obey the House of Commons, what high churchmen would obey the House of Commons. In the opinion of upholders the old Prayer Book was untouched. Voices: “No.” Lord Cecil: “The clergy at any rate are unaffected.” Renewed noes. Lord Cecil: “We can only carry the opinion with us if bishop, clergy and laity are seen to be acting freely and. independently." The discussion adjourned. The Houses sitting separately on 7th February will consider .approving the proposals. CHANGES! CRITICISED BY BISHOP BARNES LONDON, sth Feb. A large crowd besieged Temple Church to bear Bishop Barnes. The Solicitor-General was present. Hundreds stood throughout the service. Bishop Barnes declared that the Church was only narrowly prevented by Parliament from making changes which would end in the primitive superstition that a priest could give spiritual properties to innate matter. Sl’. CUTHBERIV« CHURCH LONDON, sth February: Four hundred people walked out of St. Cuthbert’s Church (where demonstrations were previously made against the form of service) before the sermon. Hundreds followed the vicar to his home. There were no hostile demonstrations.