REVISED PRAYER BOOK.

Wairarapa Daily Times, 24 December 1927, Page 5

REVISED PRAYER BOOK.

A GRAVE CRISIS. ARCHBISHOPS’ STATEMENT. Press Ajsociation-Eleeti'ic Telegnjj)li--Copj , i'gh'(.. LONDON, Friday. In connection with the Prayer Book controversy, the Archbishops of Canterbury and York - have issued a statement They say that the rejection of the revised Prayer Book by the House of Cainmons produced a position of difficulty and anxiety in the life of the Church and nation. While exaggeration must be avoided, and there is certainly no ground for panic, it cannot be denied that the crisis is grave, laying a heavy responsibility on Dio Bishops, to whom the Church is entitled to look for counsel and guidance. The Lambeth Conference had maintained the unity marking the deliberations for the past two years. It was impossible within a few days of the vote in the House of Commons to determine the obligations thereby imposed by the Church, therefore they had adjourned until January Lltli in order to enable further thought and prayer to take place. They hope at present to have considered proposals before the Church Assembly and Convocations in February; nevertheless, a, word of counsel and reassurance must, immediately be spoken.

•■’After consultation with the Bishops we address to the Church this message,’’ says the statement. ‘The House of Commons was within its rights in rejecting the measure, but, on the contrary, mere acquiescence in the decision would be inconsistent witli the Church’s responsibilities as a spiritual society. The Bishops recognise there are circumstances in which it would be their duty to take action in accordance with the Church’s inherent spiritual authority. We realise our duty, and are ready to fulfil it if it is essential, but we believe that the House of Commons’ decision was due to certain avoidable misunderstandings, therefore we cannot take the responsibility of accepting the decision as final. The Bishops are accordingly resolved to reintroduce the measure in the Assembly, with only such changes as will remove misapprehensions and make its intentions and limitations more explicit. Meanwhile we are appealing to the whole Church for corporate loyalty, with which alone we can meet dangers and rise to opportunities at this critical time. “With till the authority of our office, wo earnestly ask that no one should avail himself of the Prayer Book’s provisions to alter the services and introduce new usages until the Church has fully .authorised the book. If usages have been adopted, wc ask the clergy to discontinue them for the sake of peace and unity. “We also believe that churchmen conscientiously opposed to the measure will not do or say anything to increase the difficulties. Self-restraint and selfsacrifice will be the truest loyally and calmness, the highest form of courage, when the Church’s well-being for many generations may specially depend on the things we do, or refrain from doing. Let hasty words and acts not disturb the holy season of Christmas. Let us enter, the new year, whicli is fraught with grave issues, in a spirit of united prayer. “In these happenings God must have some purpose for the church. May wc have humility and faith to discern it, and strength and steadfastness to obey it. We believe these anxieties will set a new tide of eager .and generous devotion moving within the Church. Let it raise and bear along a new love for loyalty as a thing itself true and beautiful, a new care for unitv, it new constraint of charity within the fellowship of Christ, and new zeal in His kingdom at home and abroad. -Then the tide may prove to be the means that God will use to cleanse and defend Ilis Church.” .Sir William Joynson-llicks, who led the opposition to the Prayer Book, measure in the House of Commons, says lie read with the deepest'interest, and considerable happiness, the Archbishops’ statement, and says he thinks it could not be a wiser decision than to accept the fullest appeal at present to do nothing to divide the parties. The future largely depends on the nature of the proposed alterations. —A.F.A. and “Sun.”