The mere possibility of a second rejection of the Prayer
Book Measure in the House of Commons has, of course-, brought Disestablishment nearer. It is commonly as- sumed that Disestablishment would set the Church free, but a correspondent of the Manchester Guardian writes a warning on this subject which is worth careful con- sideration. He says that the Dean of Westminster has been investigating the legal position of the Church of England in view of another rejection of the Measure. Expert opinion has. led him to believe that the Book of Common Prayer would be the " trustee " by which the Church of England would hold her endowments. Clearly, if that were so Parliament would still have to be consulted if the Church wished to alter a single sentence in the Prayer Book. The Dean of Westminster recalls the fact that when the Wesleyans wished to modify the three years' tenure of their Ministers they had to consult Parliament. His conclusion seems to be that Disestab- lishment might tie the Church to Parliament more tightly than ever. We do not know whether that is sound law. If it is, " freedom " could be bought only by complete disendowment. * * *
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