CHRISTIANITIES IN THE TRANS-ATLANTIC WORLD The Theology and Ecclesiology of the Prayer Book Crisis, 1906–1928 Dan D. Cruickshank Christianities in the Trans-Atlantic World Series Editors Crawford Gribben Department of History Queen’s University Belfast Belfast, UK Scott Spurlock Department of Theology and Religious Studies University of Glasgow Glasgow, UK Building upon the recent recovery of interest in religion in the early mod- ern trans-Atlantic world, this series offers fresh, lively and inter-d isciplinary perspectives on the broad view of its subject. Books in the series will work strategically and systematically to address major but under-studied or overly simplified themes in the religious and cultural history of the trans- Atlantic. The series editorial board includes David Bebbington (University of Stirling), John Coffey (University of Leicester), Susan Hardman Moore (University of Edinburgh), Andrew Holmes (Queen’s University Belfast), John Morrill (University of Cambridge), Richard Muller (Calvin Theological Seminary), Mark Noll (University of Notre Dame), Dana L. Robert (Boston University) and Arthur Williamson (California State University, Sacramento). More information about this series at http://www.palgrave.com/gp/series/14892 Dan D. Cruickshank The Theology and Ecclesiology of the Prayer Book Crisis, 1906–1928 Dan D. Cruickshank University of Glasgow Glasgow, UK Christianities in the Trans-Atlantic World ISBN 978-3-030-27129-9 ISBN 978-3-030-27130-5 (eBook) https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-27130-5 © The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2019 This work is subject to copyright. All rights are solely and exclusively licensed by the Publisher, whether the whole or part of the material is concerned, specifically the rights of translation, reprinting, reuse of illustrations, recitation, broadcasting, reproduction on microfilms or in any other physical way, and transmission or information storage and retrieval, electronic adaptation, computer software, or by similar or dissimilar methodology now known or hereafter developed. The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, service marks, etc. in this publication does not imply, even in the absence of a specific statement, that such names are exempt from the relevant protective laws and regulations and therefore free for general use. The publisher, the authors and the editors are safe to assume that the advice and information in this book are believed to be true and accurate at the date of publication. Neither the pub- lisher nor the authors or the editors give a warranty, express or implied, with respect to the material contained herein or for any errors or omissions that may have been made. The publisher remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institu- tional affiliations. Cover illustration: Basotxerri / Alamy Stock Photo This Palgrave Pivot imprint is published by the registered company Springer Nature Switzerland AG. The registered company address is: Gewerbestrasse 11, 6330 Cham, Switzerland To my parents, Anne Bell and Chae Cruickshank. A cknowledgements This book started life as a Master’s thesis, so firstly my thanks go to my supervisors Charlotte Methuen and George Pattison. Charlotte, as my pri- mary supervisor, had the unenviable task of guiding me through my mas- ter’s, and for that I am truly grateful. My debt of gratitude stretches beyond that, as she has been both a great pastoral and academic support during a period of uncertainty in my life. If my work can reflect a sliver of her own, then I will feel great fulfilment academically. But if in my own career I can be as compassionate, caring, and considerate as her towards my own students, I will have gained the greater treasure. I must also thank the staff of the National Library of Scotland, who helped me discover their collection of the records of both Convocations and the National Assembly. The staff at Lambeth Palace Library also pro- vided great assistance when studying the Archbishops’ Papers and the minutes of the Bishops’ Meetings. On a personal level I must thank my parents, Anne Bell and Chae Cruickshank. Their financial help has enabled me to engage in this study. My Mum has also listened dutifully to my endless complaining over the phone, and my Dad has seen fit to send me supplies to help get me through. This book is dedicated to them, a small token in view of their love and support over the years. My thanks also go to my friends Hayley Cadel and Lee Johnston for their support. Finally, I must thank my long-suffering partner, Dr. Victoria Henderson. Somehow she has managed to be a constant support to me whilst at the same time completing her own PhD. No atomic physicist has ever listened vii viii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS to so much about historic liturgical debates in the Church of England. To do so whilst at the same time writing her own thesis and then completing her viva takes someone of immense patience. She has made me laugh and smile at times of stress and reminded me of the world outside the library when it was most needed. For all this, and thousands more things that words could never truly express, I am truly grateful. Without her constant and unending love, not a word of this book would have been written. Hopefully she knows how much I love her too. c ontents 1 I ntroduction 1 2 The Revision Process in Convocation, 1906–1920 11 3 Before the Assembly and Parliament, 1920–1928 69 4 Conclusion 121 Index 125 ix CHAPTER 1 Introduction Abstract The introduction surveys the extent to which the Prayer Book crisis is discussed in contemporary literature. Through this it draws the conclusion that although the Prayer Book crisis is mentioned in scholar- ship of the history of the Church of England in the twentieth century, it is often done so with minimal content. The introduction then presents a literature review of the main studies of the Prayer Book crisis, demonstrat- ing that although all five of them have their strengths, none provides a comprehensive overview of the two-decade-long revision process. Finally, it concludes by stressing the importance of ecclesiological debates that occurred within the revision process, linking these debates to the current constitutional set-up of the Church of England. Keywords Book of Common Prayer • Church of England • Ecclesiology • Liturgical revision The Prayer Book crisis of 1927–1928 exists in the knowledge of many in the Church of England in a place between ignorance and folklore. Some in the Church are aware that in the third decade of the twentieth century, the Church of England attempted to get a new Book of Common Prayer through Parliament. What this new book looked like is something very few are aware of. Even to ecclesiastical historians and liturgists the issue remains somewhat of an enigma. Jeremy Morris in The Church in the © The Author(s) 2019 1 D. D. Cruickshank, The Theology and Ecclesiology of the Prayer Book Crisis, 1906–1928, Christianities in the Trans-Atlantic World, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-27130-5_1