REVISED PRAYER-BOOK.

Waikato Times, Volume 103, Issue 17326, 11 February 1928, Page 8

REVISED PRAYER-BOOK.

RESERVATION RUBRIC. AN ADDENDUM ADOPTED. MOVED BY BISHOP’S WIDOW. (Deceived February ii, 1.55 p.m.) LONDON, February 10. The chief event of the House of Laity’s resumed discussion in committee was a .lady’s success in carrying an addendum to the reservation rubrics. Mrs Creighton, widow of a former Bishop of Loudon (1897-1901), said in order to show there was no Popish plot (at which there was general laughter) she would move an addition of the words affirming that the new communion for the sick was not intended for uses contrary to the Church’s historic beliefs. She explained the idea was to remove misunderstanding and misapprehensions. The amendment aroused several distinguished laymen. Lord Hugh Cecil said the amendment was unconstitutional and ultra vires because it purported to define the -Church’s theological doctrine. - Mr Cuthbert Turner (Professor of Divinity at Oxford) said the House of Laity, including himself, knew next to nothing about theology, which was a matter for the bishops.

THE REAL PRESENCE. AIGLO-CATHOLICS’ CLAIMS. MATTER FOR THE INDIVIDUAL. DECISIONS OF HOUSE OF LAITY. LONDON, February 10. Mrs Creighton's amendment was passed with a preface respectfully requesting the Bishops to consider whether such a declaration could be included in the book. Mr Turner again protested that the amendment was out of rder. The chairman, Lord Selburn, agreed to consult the archbishops for a ruling. Amendments to the first and second rubrics were cither withdrawn or defeated after a very brief debate, but the Anglo-Catholics moved to delete the provision of the third rubric declaring that “reservation is intended for the sick only and shall be used for no other purpose whatsoever,” the latter words being intended to reassure the House of Commons. The Anglo-Catholics claimed the right to worship the Real Presence; it should, they contended, be a matter for individual conscience. The amendment was defeated. Scenes at Darwen Church. The scenes at Darwen Church recently prompted a successful amendment, moved and seconded from Lancashire, requiring clergymen to consult the parochial councils before introducing changes in the services to which parishioners were accustomed. The mover said the Darwen controversy w’as symptomatic. The church was paralysed in Lancashire as parishioners refused to contribute towards the upkeep of the church without safeguards against unpopular innovations. Sir Thomas Inskip secured an additional clause making it perfectly clear that the old book was available as before for those desiring it. Tho House of Clergy. The House of Clergy also debated an amendment designed to give believers in the Real Presence an opportunity to worship according to their beliefs, and rejected it.