Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-09-06
PRAYER BOOK
REVISION MAY
CAUSE DEBATE
Question to Be Discuss
ed Before Protestant
Episcopal Convention.
Bishops Gather in Port
land for Triennial |
Meeting; Opens Today

Portland, Ore, Sept. 5.-Bishops OF
the Protestant Episcopal church in the
United States of America Tuesday
concluded a week of careful study and
discussion of the report of the joint
committee on the book of common
prayer, which is to be presented to the
fortyseventh triennial convention of
the church, formally opening here
Wednesday.
This report is the third on prayer
book revision TO be presented by the
joint revision commission appointed by
the general convention in 1913. As the
prayer book is a part of the constitu-
ton of the church, alterations in it
must be approved by two conventions
before they become effective.
Beyond announcements from day to
day that various sections of the report
have been under consideration, the
bishops have given no intimation as to
what conclusions have been reached.
The preliminary sessions have been
held with a view to expediting action
when the convention opens.
That an effort may be made to lay
the whole matter of prayer re-
vision on the table was indicated by
statements of delegates to the conyen-
ton here Tuesday. The element op-
posed to prayerbook revision would
drop the entire matter, if possible.
and if that fails would have it re-
referred and ask for appointment of a
new commission to further investigate.
Prayer Rules Revised
Already two conventions have passed
upon revision of sections devoted to
morning and evening prayer. and these
new sections are now in use in the
church. Some further changes in these
prayers have been proposed and are to
be up for final action at this conven-
ton.
The most sharply debated altera-
tons are those which concern the of
flee of the holy communion, it was in
dicated Tuesday. Opposition has de-
veloped to the change of the title of
the office, and there is a split between
the high churchmen and the low
churchmen over the doctrine of real
presence"
One of the much discussed changes
in the prayer book occurred in the
section on matrimony. Churchmen
here have voiced no opposition to the
dropping of the word ''obey" from the
NUIuc patu ny buC piluo III luC uial
riage ceremony nor to the omission of
the words with my worldly goods ]
thee endow."
In the section of visitation of the
sick an important innovation is in
cluded. according to> delegates here
This provides for a minister laying on
his hand or amounting an ailing person
with oil and invoking divine aid that
all the pain and sickness of body be-
ing put to flight. the blessing of health
may be restored to them
Divorce Canon to Stand
Justification for this ministry is
given in these words: Following the
teaching and practice of our Lord and
His apostles, the church from begin
ming has exercised His ministry of
healing always with a prayer of faith
often accompanied with amounting with
oil. or with the imposition of hands"
The matter of divorce being regu-
lated by a canon or church law. is not
included in rne prayer book revision
Canons enacted by convention be-
come effective the first of the follow
ing year, while constitutional changes,
including prayerbook revision, re-
quire action at two triennial conven-
tions. The question of relaxing or
Tightening the divorce restrictions of
the chuch has been sharply discussed
and may provoke debate on the con-
vention floor.