The Greenville times. [volume] (Greenville, Miss.) 1868-1917, 1889-11-02
PRAYER BOOK REVISION.

minor report upon the proposed
changes of the Episcopal Prayer Book
win be read with impressive interest
by all Christians, and approved by the
best thought and conscience in the
church:
When we look back to the definite
beginning Of this movement In the |
convention of 1877, we discover that
almost the only way in which revision |
came before the mind OF the Church at |
that time was in the shape of q demand |
for shortened services In the course
of the last twelve years. although very
extensive changes were at one time Gu
tertained in General Convention, after
full and heightened discussion the
Church settled back upon the safe
position of making only such alter
ations as had distinctly practical char
aeler and-the necessity or utility Of
them being widely felt-could be sc-
cepted with general acquiescence.
Thus far, then, the alterations which
have actually been effected or which
await the action of this convention, are
of very practical character, and as
such, have completeness of their own.
IL may be contended without much
fear of contradiction, that all has now
been accomplished of which there was
any widely felt need or for which
there was any general desire. Here
we are on safe ground. At least IL we
are to enter upon wider revision of
the entire Prayer Book, let it be done
deliberately; and let il be carefully
considered whether the method which
has been pursued is the true method
for such work-whether finished or
harmonious results can be expected
when so delicate q task must be en-
trusted after short intervals to different
committees successfully, and must be
acted upon piece-meal by one conven-
ton after another.
The revision movement as embodied
in the present majority report reaches
a stage beyond that Of practical utility
and long felt necessity. So far from
the propositions of this report being
necessary to complete what has been
done, they are really the beginning Of
new and comprehensive order Of
change, for many other suggestions
might be made fully equal In merit to
those which are to be found there.
No strong reason, in fact, can be given
, why some of these particular alter
ations are recommended rather than a
number of others which might be men,
. toned; and there is little doubt that
such suggestions viii be made in
abundance, If the discussion of a gen.
cral revision Is once more opened, as
this report would open II. as.l
Again, whether there was or was
not an official limitation, there certain
: ly was a perfect understanding from
the first, that the alterations to be made
: In the book Of Common Prayer should
In no case he such as should affect doc
trinc or arouse the strife Of factions
Tho earlier committees observed thai
/, understanding with great care; bu
! the controversy which has already
4 been awakened upon some Of the pro
i posals Of the preliminary report make
= it very evident that the time has ar
= rived when that understanding Is Il
!. danger of being disregarded. It's no
i enough that those who propose change
= should disclaim doctrinal intention, 4
= is also necessary that such change
n should not be taken by other person
!, as involving doctrinal modification OIL
q the one hand or on the other. 1t will
@ be real calamity to this Church If tn
> = most sacred formularies Of her worship
! are to be made the subjects of part
4 strife, and especially II that servic
a which above oil others is the expires
- sion OF the holest unity and Christian
u fellowship in love, becomes the groun,
n of contention and variance. Her
u u again then let us pause, before We Civ
n new occasion for controversy and biI
~ tcrness among ourselves aud scandal I
"a the world without.
Al In deciding whether the revision Z
! the PRAYER Book shall be contin
~ ued now that the most necessary an
ol practical ends have been attained, "
;r ought to consider carefully the reli
" tions of movement of this kind, frs
to our own people; secondly, to tt
30 world, and especially the Christia
rt world around US.
n To our own people the Prayer Boo
L. "A cxxt IF hn 4. sd al Ia
IN faith, Christian ethics, and Christis
It devotion. It Is the Bible reduced
|e- system-the Church's interpretatic
m stamped upon It and applying 1t to Il
fl soul as rule of life. 1t contains Il
,ir ancient traditions Of the Christian b
te. lief and worship, formed aud moulds
no also in later times by the special exp
yo riences of the Anglican Church, ar
lis bearing the marks Of the struggles an
on trials Of great epochs in her history,
ok England and America. It Is of ines
X. mable Importance that book whi,
h. stands in such close relation to Il
he spiritual life of the soul, should be fix
X. in its character that men should Il
ng that in the contents Of this book tn
ID. have something that Is all but u
w changeable. II represents to us, alo
TO- with the Bible itself, the sacred 3
re- postum entrusted by the apostles
II The primitive Church and thence traI
al mitled to these latter days. IL Is tr
ay that forms may be changed witho
elf change in the substance, but 1t
i. equally true that continual change
agitation for change IN the form, ca
lay not but excite uneasiness, shake
he feeling of confidence and security vi
in which devout people have rested up
bat the precious formularies of the Pray
far Book and impair the unquestioni
lty loyalty which Is the very foundati
ent of the Christian character. The |
ion and fatal result of familiarizing
ing minds of our people with alterations
md the Prayer Book as common a
lies easy thing, must inevitably be to arol
wo questions about the expression Of d
wo trine, either in its devotional fo
md throughout the Book or in
de- venerable and sacred symbols
tee the Faith itself. II Is proba
the that nothing which has occurred
vas our generation-not all the assaults
OF sceptical criticism from without
so shaken the ancient reverence for