12 MARCH 1921, Page 11

(To THE EDITOR or THE " SPECTATOR."] SIR,—There is surely

a way of escape from the dilemma with which Mr. Barnes-Austin confronts us. Most High Church- men would, I think, accept his challenge and answer his first question in the affirmative and his second in the negative. Many would go further and do so if for the word " Wesleyan " were substitutedBuddhist orMohammedan. We must perforcebelieve that all honest work done in the right spirit meets its reward, in its degree and according to its opportunity. But they would not go on to argue that our religion was as good as another, or as likely to promote the purposes for which all religions exist. Still less would they agree that in order to find common ground they ought to sacrifice what they have received and hold. The teaching of the Church of England is based upon a foundation of dogmas and doctrines, as was, indeed, that of Christ_ Himself. To say that any one of these is "quite in- essential " is to assume the point at issue. You may take an apparently inessential detail out of a picture or a poem and by so doing ruin it. The system of the Church is a unity, balanced and complete in all its parts.—I am, Sir, &c.,