Waiapu Church Gazette MONDAY, MAY 2nd. THE REVISED PRAYER BOOK

Waiapu Church Gazette, Volume XVII, Issue 11, 2 May 1927, Page 3

Waiapu Church Gazette MONDAY, MAY 2nd. THE REVISED PRAYER BOOK

With reference to a letter m our last issue we would like to point out that the revision of the Prayer Book is primarily to give effect to the recommendations on Ecclesiastical Discipline published m 1906. The first of these was that certain "practises. . . should be promptly made to cease." The second was that "modifications" m the existing law relating to the conduct of Divine Service" should be framed, "with a view to their enactment by Parliament." An unprecedented amount of labour, extending over 20 years, has been spent on revising the Prayer Book by committees of the Convocations and of the Church Assembly. The House of Bishops completed the work. When finally issued it wiil have the sanction of the two Provincial Syaods of Canterbury and York, of the National Church Assembly m its throe Houses (Bishops, clergy and laifcy) ; of the two Houses of Parliament ; and of \the King. No English Prayer Book yet issued will have behind it so great an amount of authority.

The Protestant Party has met it with adverse criticism, m spite of the fact that it regards as optional many doctrines cherished by the extreme Anglo-Catholics ; and has forbidden many practises which they value, and have practised peaceably for half a century. The Central Council of Catholic Societies has carefully considered the new Prayer Book, and is taking steps "to secure the attention of the Bishops to their views by normal methods." The Modernists approve. Dean Inge does not th;.nk the Book will bring peace. "Things will go on much as they are," he says. "The Church Times" points out that the Bishops have taken this opportunity to claim new powers which have not hitherto been denned by statute. "The Church Standard" (Sydney) consoles itself with the thought that there will be a fuure revision some day.

The Bishops have produced a wonderful Service Book. It certainly is no Party Book, nor any one person's ideal. The English is remarkably beautiful, . though phrases here and there have an unfamiliar sound, which at first we may mistake for want of rhythm;

such as "and all my worldly goods I with thee share." . The prayer of consecration rises to the heights of inspiration. It expresses the deepest principles of the Catholic Faith, as they have not been expressed since the First Prayer Book of 1549. Speaking m Melbourne the Bishop of London appealed to the Anglo-Catholics not to give up the blessing of the revised Prayer Book, because they were not allowed all they. wished; and to' the Evangelicals not to oppose customs that really belonged to the Catholic Church, and were not Eoman Catholic. The -Bishop of Ripon has warned his clergy that the revised Book is meant to be a settlement. From every point of view for the Church's health, they needed some sense of finality. THE CALENDAR. S. Patrick, S. Francis of Assisi, and many other saints arc added. Some disappear , among them Ss . Valentine and Crispin. Corpus Christi is not mentioned, though it is provided for otherwise. S. Mary Magdalene and the Transfiguration are at last accorded their proper place. THE GENERAL RUBRICS. The ornaments rubric remains as before. It has been pointed out that as omission has been con ! strued to mean prohibition u^fler the present Book, this argument will have greater force under the new. Book. Thus the position is uncertain with regard to incense, the Sanctus Bell, and six candles on the Altar. A new rubric orders that changes sanctioned m the new Book, are not to be made without "the goodwill" of the Parochial Church Council. If any question arises, the Bishop's decision is final. This seems to leave the power of initiation m the hands of the clergy and it is not clear what is meant by "the good will of the people." A further rubric gives the Bishops of a Province power to make or rescind "any Rules for the conduct of public worship m accordance with this Book. ' ' MATINS AND EVENSONG. The personal pronouns referring to God are printed all through as m the -present Book. The sentences are marked for the seasons, and additional ones are added. There is an alternative short Ex-' hortation, or these words may be substituted: "Let us humbly confess our sins to Almighty God," followed by "silence. A short form

of Absolution may be used. Or, the service may commence with "0 Lord, open thou our lips." The Yenite .ends, with the seventh verse. Psalm 51 may be substituted for the Te Deum, which changes at the 22nd verse. The service ends with the Third Collect. Permissi on . is given , ' ' wh en another service provided m thi»Book follows immediately . . . to end .with the Canticle after the Second. Lesson." . n THE LITANY AND OCCASIONAL PRAYERS. The Litany. may be shortened a* the discretion of the minister. .Many special prayers are provided, including three for the "commemoration of the Faithful Departed." Any o| these may be said at the discretion of the minister, who may "subject to any direction ' which the Bishop may give offer prayer m his own words." The Athanasian Creed need no longer be said. The word "hell" remains unchanged m the creeds. COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND . GOSPELS. These are provided for S. Mary Magdalene, and the Transfiguration and m the Appendix for many other occasions, including All Souls, which may be used on other days, "any saint," missionaries, mission work, Patronal Festivals, Dedication of a Church, Harvest, the Institution of Holy Baptism, the Guidance of the Holy Spirit, and the Institution of" the Holy Communion, which may be used on any day, with permission to use the Proper Preface for Maundy Thursday. THE HOLY COMMUNION The General Rubrics.— The first provides that the priest "shall wear either a surplice with stole, or with scarf and hood, or white alb ptain with vestment or cope." A rule provides that when a Priest shall give notice to anyone that he will refuse to admit him to the Lord's Table, he "shall be obliged forthwith to give an account of the ■ same. to the Bishop, and therein. to obey. his order and direction." Commenting on this "The Church Times" says that the individual Bishop "is, like the King, above the Law. ' ' The Bread for the Holy Communion "shall be the best a»d purest wheat bread, whether loaf or wafer . . . " No unauthorised prayers .are to be interpolated, nor shall the Priest's private devotions

binder the service, which shall be said m an audible voice. "A,convenient number" must communicate, and "it is much to be wished" that all "the worshippers present" will do so. The word Altar is nowhere used. The service is divided into parts, which is characteristic of the Book all through. the Introduction.-— Our Lord's summary may be used instead of the Ten Commandments, provided they are said once a month. There follows "The Lord be with and the answer. The Ministry of the Word.— This ends with the sermon, which is optional. The Offertory. — Here the alms are presented, and the Bread and Wine are placed on the table. It is noted that it is "an ancient tradition of the Church to mingle n. little water with the Wine. " Special prayers may be bidden here. The Intercession. — The words "militant here m earth" are omitted. The Bishop of the Diocese is remembered, as are Missionaries. The Departed are commended to God's gracious keeping, beseeching him "to grant them everlasting light' and peace." God is thanked for his Saints. The -Preparation ends with the Prayer of Humble Access. The Consecration. — There are six new Proper Prefaces: the Epiphany, Maundy Thursday, the Feasts of the Purification and Annunciation, the Transfiguration, Saints' Days, and' the Dedication of a Church. After the Sanetus the Benedictus may follow, the Priest continuing: — "All glory to Thee, Almighty God, our heavenly Father, for that Thou of Thy tender mercy didst give Thine only Son Jesus' Christ to suffer death upon the Cross for our redemption; who made there ... Do this ... m remembrance of me. Wherefore, 0 Lord and heavenly Father, we Thy humble servants, having m remembrance the precious death and passion of Thy dear Son, his mighty resurrection and glorious ascension, according to His institution do celebrate and set forth before Thy Divine Majesty with these Thy holy gifts, the memorial which He hath willed us to jnake, rendering unto Thee most hearty thanks for the innumerable benefits which He hath promised for us. Hear us, 0 Merciful Father . . . and with

Thy Holy and Lifegiviug Spirit vouchsafe to bless and sanctify both us and these Thy gifts of Bread and Wine, and that they may be unto us the Body and Blood ... to the end that receiving the same we may be strengthened and refreshed both m body and soul. And we entirely desire Thy Fatherly goodness mercifully to accept this our ■sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. and so on as m the present Prayer of Oblation, to its end, adding the Lord's Prayer. Then the priest says, "The peace of God be alway with you." Answer: "And with thy spirit." The Communion.— The priest may use the present Words of Administration, or he may say m an audible voice to the whole number of them that came to the Holy Communion, "Draw near and receive the Body of our Lord Jesus Christ which was given for you. Take them m remembrance that Christ died for you, and feed on Him m your hearts by faith and thanksgiving," (the word "them" is unexpected), saying afterwards to each communicant, either half of the present words. 'Or else he can say. the whole form of words to each row, "or to a convenient number within 1 each row." The Thanksgiving has this preface: "Having now received the precious Body and Blood of Christ, let us give thanks unto, our Lord God;" and is the present alternative Prayer to the Prayer of Oblation. It is followed by the Gloria and the Blessing, as at present. THE BAPTISMAL OFFICE. Sponsors must have been baptised. The service opens: "Beloved m Christ Jesus, we are taught m Holy Scripture that God willeth all men to be saved, for God is Love." The "Church Times" says that Calvin would haye _ denounced these words as heretical. The words "all men are conceived and born m sin" are omitted. The water is blessed, the duties of the sponsors are emphasised. A prayer for the home may follow. THE CATECHISM, The last rubric orders that the ages of those to be presented for Confirmation be sent to the Bishop beforehand. CONFIRMATION. The Renewal of Vows is no longer confused with the Confirma-

'liion. No- address shall be introduced into the ConfiriMtion. The rubric at- the end reads: "And there shall none be admitted to the Holy Communion until such time as he be- confirmed., or be found, m the judgment of the Bishop, to be ready and desirous to be confirmed," which gives each Bishop the power to determine the age for confirmation. The service ends with this beautiful prayer: "Go forth into the world of peace; be of good courage; hold last that^ which is good ; render" to no man evil . for evil; strengthen the fainthearted ; support the weak; help the afflicted; honour all men; love and serve the Lord, rejoicing m the power of &ie Holy Spirit. And the Blessing THE MARRIAGE SERVICE. The "causes" read: First it was ordained for the increase of mankind according to the will of God,, and that children might be brought up ... etc. Secondly it was or- • dained m order that the natural instincts and affections, implanted by God, should be hallowed and directed aright ; that those who are not called of God to remain unmarried, but .by „ Jlim ai;e Jed r to this holy estate, should .continue therein m pureness of living. Thirdly, . . ." as at present. The word "obey" is omitted m both places; and the words '"all my worldly goods I with thee share" replace the former. The wording of the Prayers is altered and softened ; while the words "didst teach that it should never be lawful to put asunder those whom Thou by matrimony hadst made one" disappear. Provision is made for a Nuptial Mass. THE VISITATION OF THE SICK The minister is directed to lay his hands upon the sick person if desired. There is a beautiful prayer for a dying child. THE COMMUNION OF THE SICK. The rubrics provide for Reservation m Both Kinds for the sick "on the same day."" "If further provision be needed" the Bishop may allow Perpetual Reservation. Corporate Devotions before the Blessed Sacrament are forbidden; and intinction is provided for. The method of Reservation has yet to be determined. THE BURIAL SERVICE. A rubric reads: "If question arise . . . the Bishop ... shall

."decide the question." Psaliris 23 and 130 are included. After the Psalms instead of ihe Gloria may be said: ''Best eternal grant to them, 0 Lord; and let lighi perpetual shine upon them." In tne Lesson, versos 27 to 34 inclusive may bo omitted; or II Cor. 4, 16 — end, and 5, 1—10; or Bey. 7, 9— 17; or Rev. 21, I—7. For "our ule body" , may be substituted "the body of our low estate." -Two beautiful prayers are added, for the departed, and for the mourners "The whole of this order may be said m Church, with the exception of the words of committal. ' The burial may precede the service m Church and the prayers. The service "may be used as a memorial service for the departed s/i-art from - the funeral." Requiem Masses and cremation are provided for. A special order is provided for the burial of a child. An alternative committal, which makes no mention of the Resurrection-, may be intended for one who dies unbaptised. • ■ ' • . i'lPfll) THE COMMINATION SERVICE. ]?or the words "cursed is he" the words "God shall judge" arc substituted. The answer of the people is "Lord, have mercy upon us." All reference to the sin of removing a neighbour's landmark has been omitted. On this the "Church Times" comme,nts:"There never was a time when the sin involved m the removal of a neighbour's landmark was so common as it is to-day." THE APPENDIX. This includes Prime; compline; a Devotion which may be said by the priest and people together before proceeding to the Holy Communion; extra Collects, Epistles, and Gospels, Accession Service, and the Ordering of Deaconesses. CONVOCATION. Some amendments agreed to m the Lower House of the Convocation of Canterbury. — In the Communion Service: that m the title, after the words "Holy Communion," the words bo added: "or the Eucharist;" and that m the Intercession for the Church the vords "grant them everlasting light and peace," read "grant them continual increase of light aud peace." No" statement was issued of the pror ccedings of the Convocation of York.

Some amendments put f./rvvard m Convocation.— ln the Baptismal office, instead of the words ' we. are taught in' Holy Scripture," the words "ye know that all m'tii are from their Wrth prone to sir,." In the marriage service the reinsertion of 1, the words "who didst teach that it should never be iawiiui to put asunder those whom Thou by matrimony hadst made one," and 2, the word "obey" m both places Perhaps no point has provod more contentious than this. Obodionce does not imply inferiority, but suboidination. The family is the reflection of the Holy Trinity_ m which the son is subordinate to the Father; otherwise it would . cease to be Unity. In the Comunion of

the sick to allow Reservation . not only for the sick, but for 'others who could not be present *;t the Celebration m Church."