The Report of the Committee of the Lower House of
the Convocation of Canterbury on "The Ornaments Rubric and Modifications of the Existing Law Relating to the Conduct of Divine Service" was published last week. The most important resolutions are on the Ornaments Rubric and the compulsory use of the Athanasian Creed. The resolution on the first subject says that, since the so-called Eucharistic vestments cannot be rightly regarded as symbolic of any distinctively Roman doctrines, and since the judgments con- cerning them "appear to be liable to reasonable doubt," it is expedient that alternative vestures be recognised,—viz: (1) The surplice with stole or scarf and the hood of the degree ; (2) the so-called Eucharistic vestments. The Dean of Canterbury and Canon Henson dissent from this resolution for eight reasons. The resolution on the Athanasian Creed proposes that the worda "may be sung or said" be substituted for "must be sung or said." Some of the Committee dissent, and the Principal of Cuddesdon desires the use of the Creed "without the monitory clauses." Thus eighteen members of the Committee of twenty-four are opposed to the compulsory recitation.
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