CHURCH UNION IN THE TRENCHES [To THE Emma OP THE
" SPECTATOR."' SIE,—Old and consistent readers of the Spectator, knowing its broad national religious policy, would just expect that it would draw attention, as it did in its issue of September 16th, to an excellent—I would venture to say superexcellent, for its purport is so very heartening and stimu- lating—letter in the Times of September 12th on " The Soldier's Chaplain and Church Union in the Trenches." In the same way as our country has shown what it is capable of harmoniously doing when it lovingly co-operates to supply our fighting forces with all its various material needs, so is it to be devoutly hoped that this holy and blessed religions unity with diversity—unity of spirit with diversity of operation —in the field will have its fruition later on when we settle down to our normal life. In all this there is no idea or intention or expectation that any one should renounce his own private ecclesiastical outlook, but merely, as Oliver Cromwell said, remember that " Liberty of conscience is a natural right, and he that would have it ought to give it " ; or, as John Wesley most delightfully put it :-
"Give me thine hand. I do not mean, be of my opinion ; you need not I do not expect or desire it, neither do I mean I will be of your opinion. I cannot ; it does not depend on my choice, I can no more think than I can see or hear as I will. Keep your opinion and I mine, as steadily as ever. You need not endeavour to come over to me, or bring me over to you. I do not desire you to dispute points or to hear or speak one word concerning them. Only give me thine hand. I do not mean embrace my modes of worship, or I will embrace yours. I have no desire to dispute with you one moment ; let all matters stand aside, let them never come into sight. If thine heart is my heart, if thou love God and all mankind, I ask no more, give me thine hand."
Giggleawick-in-Cra yen.
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