refits to tilt thitut.
ST. PAUL'S KNIGHTSBRIDGE.
Sin—The remarks which you have made on the proceedings of the Vestry of St. Paul's Knightsbridge are founded on the assumption that the teach- Mg and practices of the clergy are "'offensive" to the great body of the eongregatn to which they minister. Now, Sir, I speak from personal knowledge when I say that such is not the fact. The church is crowded, and many inhabitants of the district desirous to have seats in it are unable to find room. Of this congregation it cannot be doubted that by far the greater part approve of the method of celebrating divine worship which Mr. Liddell, on his appointment, found established, and has continued. Un- questionably, many of the parishioners, including Dissenters and nominal Churchmen, take a different view. but surely it is not fair, when the per- sons most interested—that is, those who habitually attend the church—are satisfied, to argue that the clergyman ought to make changes in long- established customs, for the purpose of satisfying those who are less in, tereeted, most of whom, indeed, are not interested- at all. You say that the clergy are to blame for pureeing a system which their parishioners die- approve. But as there are, unhappily, two parties among those parishioners holding opposite opinions, the clergy cannot help displeasing and offending one party. It is natural and right, therefore, that they should, in a menet of itself non-essential, pursue the course that is approved by those who actually attend the church and partake of its ministrations, rather than that which is demanded by systematic, implacable, and, I will add, unseru- pulous-and unreasonable opponents.
Your obedient servant,
AN OLD PARISAIO/TER OP ST. PAUL'S Krticorrfontrnoz.
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