THE ENGLISH CHURCH AND COUNT CAMPELLO.
[To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR."]
am sorry to intrude again upon your space. But there is one explanation which you will not refuse to allow me to make. I never advocated a " mission" to Italy, as " Catholicus " seems to suppose. I simply argued that Count Campello's conscientious scruples against the political rtile into which the Papacy forces its adherents deserved moral, and if necessary material, support from us.
The difference between " Catholicus" and myself is one of principle. Those who, with him, regard the Roman Catholic Church as our great ally in the conflict with irreligion, will agree with him that all interference with her is undesirable. Those who think that a Jesuitised Papacy is one of the greatest dangers which Christianity is at the present time called upon to confront, will be disposed to agree with me. But there is one point on which, before I conclude, I hope you will allow me to touch. I believe that the policy of isolation to which the Church of England has been committed during the last three centuries, has been injurious to herself, and is opposed alike to Scripture and the practice of the Universal Church. I trust its reign is drawing to a close. I do not advocate rash and presumptuous intermeddling. But when our sympathy is asked for any cause of which we have reason to approve, I trust that we shall not refuse to give it.—I am, Sir, &c.,
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