BISHOPS WARNED

Gisborne Times, Volume LXV, Issue 10305, 14 January 1927, Page 5

BISHOPS WARNED

“CHURCH IS IN DANCER” DEMONSTRATION AGAINST PRAYER BOOK REVISION ALLEGED ROMISH PRACTICES CONDEMNED (United Press Assn.—Copyright.) LONDON, Jan. 12. . A procession of olergy and laity organised jointly by the Protestant Alliance and League of Loyal Churchmen marched to Lambeth Palace simultaneously with the opening of the momentous ten days’ private conference of Bishops of the Church of England, under the presidency of the Archbishop of Canterbury, on unrevealed proposals for the revision of the prayer book. The procession was headed by .a banner: “Warning to Bishops. The Church is in danger. God says remove not the ancient landmark which thy fathers set up. Respect the PraySr Book, which was given us by our martyred reformers.” On arrival the party knocked at the _ gatese, entered, and was received by the Archbishop’s chaplain, to whom they handed a petition condemning Romish practices; also the fact that the conference is in private, adding: “Secrecy is abhorrent to the English nature.” Th 6 petition referred to the pi'oposals as “A base betrayal on the part of those who should be the guardians of Divine truth. We are asked to accept your lordships’ proposals. This we will never do.”

The gravest contention is over the altered Communion rites. The bishops are endeavouring to find a compromise between Anglo-Oatholic and evangelical opinion. When the bishops'agree to the precise changes they will _be presented to the convocations, after which they will be sent in final draft to the Church Assembly in July. Ultimately the House of Commons must approve. —A. and N.Z.O.A.