REJECTED PRAYER BOOK

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20288, 22 December 1927, Page 11

REJECTED PRAYER BOOK

THE BAPTIST VIEW. GRATEFUL, BUT NOT REJOICING. (Press Association —By Telegraph—Copyright ) LONDON, December 20. “ We sympathise with the bishops, and are asking for special prayers on their behalf in all the Baptist churches on Christmas Day,” states Mr M. Aubrey, secretary of the Baptist Union. He adds that the Baptists are not rejoicing, but are grateful for the defeat of the book. They realise the bitter disappointment to the revered Anglican leaders, but the new book meant the destruction of the hopes of a Protestant reunion. The Baptists trust that the rejection will demonstrate the country’s ingrained Protestantism, thereby opening th e way to co-operation. Lord Parmoor, who is regarded as a high authority on ecclesiastical law, expresses the opinion that disestablishment would not affect the King’s accession oath. The Act of 1534 made the King head of th e English Church. The only change in the oath was the deletion of the reference to the Roman Catholic Church prior to the present King’s accession.—Sydney Sun Cable. LORD BIRKENHEAD’S OPINION. A HYSTERICAL DECISION. LONDON, December 19. In connection with the Prayer Book controversy Lord Birkenhead writes: “ Tile bishops cannot take disciplinary measures regarding matters in the new book sanctions; therefore the hysterical decision by the House of Commons under the influence of the crudest ‘no Popery ’ speeches, which ought not to have influenced a schoolboys’ debate, has already perished stillborn. Instead of destroying the book it has given it a greater force than if it had been accepted. Every clergyman can with impunity employ the book, and will, in my judgment, he wise in so doing.”—The Times.

HOUSE OP COMMONS DEBATE. CONSIDERED TOO SHORT. LONDON, December 20. The Daily Telegraph’s ecclesiastical correspondent says that among the suggestions at the Lambeth Conference was one that the Convocation bo invited to give full synodical approval to the book. This, however, was felt to have too much of the appearance of a challenge to the State s authority. Another suggestion was the withdrawal of the amendment by omitting temporarily the offices of communion. This course would necessarily need much time, involving its passage by the various church legislative bodies. The view generally hold was that one night’s debate in the Commons was too short, leaving no opportunity for correcting obvious misunderstandings. The Archbishop of Canterbury set the tone of the meeting by deprecating criticism of those who felt it their duty to' vote for the rejection. He took the view that they had relied on spiritual guidance.—A. and N.Z. Cable.

THE LAMBETH CONFERENCE. INTERIM STATEMENT EXPECTED. LONDON, December 19. The political correspondent of The Times says that the majority of the bishops pre. sent at the Lambeth Conference received many communications, chiefly in urging the ruling out of disestablishment and non-interference with the balance book. Although it was suggested that the Prayer Book might be made clearer on certain points, it was also suggested that the prayer for the King be obligatory at the morning service. The seriousness of the issues probably precludes anything but an interim statement before Christmas, and the bishops will later give a clear exposition of their aims, showing tho necessity for the book to preserve unity.—The Times.

THE BISHOP OF LONDON. NO STATEMENT AT PRESENT. LONDON, December 20. ” I dare sav you are expecting me to say how the bishops are getting on at Lambeth,” said the Bishop of London at th e Duplex movement dinner. ‘‘ Wild horses could not drag a statement from me. I can only say that we are not a bit downhearted, and are determined to ensure that the church keeps its self-re-spect.” The latter necessitated self-sup-port, which was why he believed in the Duplex movement, whereby Captain Watson (the founder) raised £2,500,000, producing an income of £500,000 yearly. The movement is capable of adding £50,000,000 to the church's resources.—The Times.

BISHOPS PLEDGED TO SECRECY. LONDON, December 21. (Received Dec. 21, at 7 p.m. A full conference of bishops discussed tho Prayer Book until evening. All were pledged to secrecy as to the results, which are expected to be published to-day.— A. and N.Z. Cable.