The Archbishop of Canterbury hinted in his speech that the
responsible Executive of "the Society of the Holy Cross" might probably be a very small one, and that the extreme views sanctioned by the book in question may possibly be held by only one or two of the Society. A letter, however, by one of the members, published in Monday's Times, suggests that a considerable number of members have at times taken part in general meetings of the Society, and oven in meetings admitted to be of some importance. The writer of the letter believes that "the great majority of the brethren" repudiate not only "the system, method, and principles of 'The Priest in Absolution,' but also several expressions in the rules, for in- stance, the words 'mass,' sacramental confession,' sacramental penance,' and several others." "The Society is really, though not nominally, governed by a minority, who live in or near London, and so are better able to attend the synods and chapters, from which most of the country brethren are kept away by ex- pense and time. One hundred and thirteen brethren out of 400 are, 1-believe, the most that have ever attended a meeting, and on that very day most important business was decided, when only about forty brethren were present." But why do the absent majority, then, keep their names on the register of a society, whose actions, rules, and even theological terminology they thus disavow ? This excuse is worse than pleading guilty to the accusation.
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