22 JANUARY 1910, Page 14

[TO THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR. "] Sin, — I am sure

that, with your usual courtesy and love of fair play, you will grant me space to correct a gross mis- representation of our work at Bloomsbury in your issue of January 8th. A correspondent states that Bipin Chandra Pal, a pagan, preached one Sunday in our church. He is not a pagan, neither has he preached at Bloomsbury. He addressed our Men's Meeting one Sunday afternoon, intro- ducing his speech with a deeply spiritual prayer which touched the hearts of all. He uttered no sedition, although his opinions were not altogether the opinions of his audience. Neither has any Lancashire- agnostic addressed our men. One Sunday afternnon, after an address by myself on the necessity of personal religion for lasting social reform, several men gave short testimonies as to how their lives had been helped by the power of religion. At the close an agnostic spoke, expressing his sorrow that he differed from the other speakers. When be apologised for intruding the men certainly applauded, not because they approved of his agnosticism, but because, like the editor of the Spectator, they believed in liberty of speech.—I am, Sir, &c., THOMAS PHILLIPS. Bloomsbury Central Church.