1 SEPTEMBER 1888, Page 14

THE DENISON AND BENNETT JUDGMENTS.

[To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR."1

SIR,—You cite the judgments in "Ditcher v. Denison" and "Sheppard v. Bennett," as permitting the clergy to teach the doctrine of the Real Presence. The latter judgment has doubtless that effect, but the former case was never decided on its merits. The Diocesan Court of Bath and Wells, with the Archbishop of Canterbury (Sumner) presiding, pronounced sentence of deprivation on Archdeacon Denison. The Court. of Arches, on appeal, decided that the sentence was void, pro- ceedings not having been commenced, as required by the Act, within two years of the alleged offence. This decision was, on further appeal, confirmed by the Privy Council, who quashed. all the proceedings of the Commission and of the Diocesan Court, and left the Archdeacon free. The Privy Council, at the- end of its judgment, expressly states that upon "the question whether the respondent has at any time uttered heretical doctrine, or committed any ecclesiastical offence, their Lord- ships have intimated no opinion." (" Brodrick and Fremantle?' pp. 156-175)-1 am, Sir, &c.,