THE LONG SHADOWS OF LAMBETH X.

On July 25, 1968, the Tenth Lambeth Conference (Lambeth X) was convened. The Conference was intended to be the Anglican equivalent of Vatican II, the starting point for updating and renewal in the visibly failing Church of England and her Episcopal daughters throughout the world. Messrs. Simpson and Story relate the happenings at Canterbury Cathedral on that occasion. But they do a good deal more, too. They appraise the accomplishments of the Conference, decry its failings, and throughout exhibit a critical faculty and a narrative skill that elevate this report far above the parti pris mediocrity which ordinarily characterizes books of this kind. Their final judgment on the Conference is doggedly negative: ""It was not what many hoped it would be; but regrettably it was what many feared"" it might be--muddled, noncommittal where it should have spoken out, overly liberal where it should have been firm."" If they are correct, it will not be the first time that reformers have succeeded in destroying what they tried to renew. But only the passage_of time will reveal whether the Lambeth, prelates, or these authors, are correct. Whatever the outcome, while waiting the reader can do no better than search the immensely ""long shadows of Lambeth X.