2 MARCH 1934, Page 6

The Archbishop of Canterbury's statement on the question of prayers

for rain is worded with scrupulous care. Dr. Lang points to the existence of a prayer for rain in the Book of Common Prayer, affirms that " it is a natural and right instinct of religion that in such times of anxiety men should lay their needs before God," and explains that lie does not think it advisable to appoint any special day of prayer. The majority of devout Churchmen today, I imagine; do not conceive of a God who arranges rain and drought in different regions day by day, and while believing profoundly in prayer they would not pray for changes' in natural laws—or what • are called natural laws. At the same time there is a large minority which does believe that prayer may bring rain. The Archbishop, I should suppose, is of • the fornier school, but his statement is such as to commend itself equally to the latter. '

* * * *