1 APRIL 1911, Page 15

NARROW ECCLESIASTICISM.

[To my EDITOR. OF THE "SPECTATOR."] SIR,—The correspondence in the Spectator on the Confirmation test for English Churchmanship has recalled to me an incident that occurred many years ago in India. A chaplain on the Government establishment, when visiting an out-station, refused the Holy Communion to an American missionary who presented himself at the holy table. The missionary was known to me as an earnest and devoted man. He belonged to the (American) Dutch Reformed Church, which was doing splendid work in the south of India. To such lengths—or depths—will narrow ecclesiasticism carry well-intentioned men. Surely such cases must make—

"Tears, such as angels weep, burst forth."

—I am, Sir, &c.,

GEO. CHRYSTIE, Colonel (Indian Army). Short Heath .Lodge, Farnham, Surrey.