Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1922-04-08

The report Of the commission on the
revision Of the Book of Common Prayer
Of the-Episcopal Church. which will be
rsssenfed to the triennial general con-
vention Of that church in September
next at Portland, Greg. has been made
public. The commission. consisting OF
eight bishops. eight presbyters and eight
laymen of the church, which Is under
the Craftsmanship of Ri. Rev. Courtlandt
Whitehead, D. D.. Bishop of Pittsburgh
and of which Rev. John w. Suter, u. "
of Boston is secretary ana ROBERT r.
Gardiner Of Boston is treasurer, IN
cludeS many OF the most noteu chuieh
men in the country.
The Book Of Common PRAYER is tne
official manual Of worship Of the Eplsco.
pal hurch; and Is Of required use IN an
the regular services OF the churcn, !; -
manual and manual Of private deVo-
lions. 1t is substantially the same book
as the prayer book Of the Church OF
England, the latter having been adopteo
conditions by the American church upon
its organization after the revolution.
1t ranks with the King James version
Of the Bible, the we'll known version oi
universal use, as among the nooiese eA
amples Of fifteenth century English. AZ
a liturgy it is recognized as unsurpassed
in dignity. beauty and devotional spirit.
And it is treasured and used by many
who are not Of the Anglican communion.
Unchanged for Century.
, The American book remained un-
changed for about century. put was
need of further revision, the general
convention of the church appointed
the commission which is now making
its final report. Reports were mace 3s
Tow at N
1915 and 1919. at the latter convention
a limited number of changes oelns
finally adopted. ~The present report, by
express direction. is being puohsneo
six months dn advance OF the meetlng
of the general convention of this year
in order that the people OF the church
may be fully informed of the changes
proposed and have ample time for
consideration.
The commission has proposed such
revision and enrichment OF the prayer
book as will adapt it to present condi-
lions and make it more helpful in
meeting the religious needs OF the
people in the life and worship OF to-
shown by the fact that more than
$50 alterations and additions. some
involving many detailed changes. are
proposed. Seven entirely new offices
or forms of worship are suggested.
Revision Not Revolutionary.
Though extensive. the revision is
not revolutionary. No change in the
Among the changes proposed are
rearrangement of the contents max
ing for more convenient use, the per
missive shortening of some OF the
services, the addition Of many new
prayers. such as for state legisia,
ture." "for memorial days" for social
Justice" "for- every man in his
work" "for our country" and "for
all nations; additional collects,
epistles and gospels TOT speciai s &C.
Nthe enlargement of the catechism.
famous as q condensed statement of
Christian faith and practice. and Its
transformation into a catechetlcai
office of Instruction.: form OF serv-
ice for the burial of a child, prayers
Of permissive use in commemoration
of the saints and for the departed.
and q special form of missionary
service.
Under the constitution of the Epis-
in the Book of Common Prayer ex-
cept through favorable action at two
successive triennial meetings OF the
general convention. Between these
meetings the matter Is omclaIiy re-
GRAFTON. 1t is believed that the pres
emit process Of revision will reach com.
pletion at the general convention OF
1925.
Personnel Of Commission.
The personnel Of the commission on
revision of the prayer book is as fol-
lows: Rt Rev. Cortlandt Whitehead,
d. D., Bishop Of Pittsburgh; Ri. Rev.
william Cabell Brown. d. D., Bishop
of Virginia; Ri. Rev. Frederick Bur
CESS, D. D., Bishop of Long Island:
Rt. Rev. Thomas F. Davis, D. D., OF
western Massachusetts,: Rt Rev. Jo-
seph H johnson, D. D.. Bishop of Los
Angeles; Rt Rev. Edward l. Parsons.
d. D., Bishop of Sacramento; Ri. Rev:
Philip NJ Rhinelander. D. D.. Bishop OF
PENNSYLVANIA; Ri. Rev. Nathaniel s.
Thomas, D. D.. Bishop of Wyoming:
Rev. Charles NJ Addison, author OF
several devotional works. notably
prayers for special occasions and
prayers for parents and children:
Rev. Herbert NJ. Denslow. D. p.
professor of pastoral theology at the
General Theological Seminary, New
York city: Rev. Milo Hudson Gates,
vicar Of the Chapel Of the Interces-
sion and warden Of the New York
Training School for Deaconesses;
Rev. Henry R. Gummey. D. D.. author
of various articles and reviews in
the church publications and certain
devotional books; Rev. Lucien Moore
Robinson. D. D.. professor of liturgi-
cal ecclesiastic polity and canon law
Ha1 nivfnitv School.