. BOOK [To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] Sue,—May I protest
against the prevailing belief that Noncom" formists ought to have a voice on either side in the decision to be taken about the new Prayer Book It is said that as the Church is a State Church, Nonconforin- iste, being members of the State, are therefore members of the Church, and have a right to influence its actions. If this wert . . a full statement of the case, nothing could be said against the claim. But it is not for it overlooks one very important consideration, which is that Christianity* knows nothing ot rights, except in connection with duties.. If, therefore, .Nonconformists. have rights -in the State Church, they have for that reason corresponding duties towards it. Chief among these are attendance at its worship and support of its institutiOns. These .duties for their own very good reasons tii6s, decline to perforni. It is therefore intolerable that people should claim the privileges of Church-membership and refuse to acknowledge its obligations.. No .coramanity, religious or secular, could function properly, if those Who by their Own act has ;e. separated thernseh,ei froii.s its ulni.• arC allowed to interfere with neeins: am not of .course 'saying that the can be 'prevented frog doing so, but I.would'appeal:tntheni to take view of the Matter into consideration, and would then leave the issue t° their own Consciences, with full .confidernee as to the decision they will most them be led to. make.—! am, Sir, &C, Haddiscne Rectory, Norwich. NR ON G:
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