THE King has issued a Proclamation in which he appoints the first Sunday of the coming year as a special day of prayer and thanksgiving in all the churches throughout his Dominions, “that we may have the clear-sightedness and strength necessary to the victory of our cause.” With his Majesty’s intention, expressed in terms so devout and grave, all Churchmen will find themselves in fullest agreement, nor will they care to raise at this moment the question whether his Majesty may appoint such an observance proprio motu. But we must express our sincere regret that in one important particular the King has been so ill-advised by his responsible Ministers. The first Sunday in next year happens to be the Feast of the Epiphany, a festival of the highest rank in every part of the Church, and of more primitive observance than Christmas itself. We cannot but think that the date was fixed in inadvertence or ignorance, and that his Majesty may be pleased, on further consideration, to assign another Sunday to devotions which, important as they undoubtedly are, can neither be combined with the devotions of Epiphany, nor, without disloyalty to the prescription of the Church, be allowed altogether to supersede them. It would be extremely regrettable if for any reason Churchpeople found themselves hindered from observing whole-heartedly His Majesty’s command.