16 SEPTEMBER 1899, Page 13

THEISTIC LITERATURE. [To THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR. "] SIR,—Yon surely

would not do any one a great wrong.—i.e., not willingly. Therefore I count on your sense of justice to allow me to correct a misrepresentation of Theism and Theistic tastes in your notice of " The Book of Bander," pp. 324-25 of the Spectator of September 2nd. Neither is that book nor "The New Koran" included in the " Canon of Theistic Literature." In both the books, especially in "The Book of Bander," are things foolish and false, and are neither admired nor adopted by Theists. Not three weeks ago I wrote to the author lamenting that he has spoiled some excellent wisdom by the introduction of chapters unwise and untrue. The Bible, which I value and use for the sake of its wisdom and truth, is not discarded by me because some passages jar upon my reason and conscience. Theists welcome what is good and true wherever they find it. Oar "Canon of Scripture" is composed of hundreds of extracts from various authors of every Church and sect,—from the late Cardinal Manning to John Bunyan, besides Greek, Roman, and Hindoo philosophers. Your concluding reference to myself is deeply misleading, as my criticism of the scene (John xix. 25-27) was strictly confined to the lack of love and tenderness in it, so unlike the tone of a son to his mother. Then, I ask, is it fair to judge of my view of the Christ of the Gospels by one single specimen but half told ? Finally, Theism is to be judged by its real literature,—i.e., by the Theistic Prayer-book and by the sermon published week after week without intermission ever since October let, 1871.-

[We publish Mr. Voysey's letter, but we certainly had no intention of misrepresenting him or treating him unfairly, nor can we admit that we did so.—ED. Spectator.]