24 APRIL 1909, Page 29

WANTED FOR ENGLAND,—A CRUSADE.

[TO THE EDITOR OF TIIE " SPECTATOLI was much surprised to find in the Spectator of Saturday last as many as three letters in defence Of "Pastor Ovium," and not one for "An un-Christian Advocate of Fair Play." As I cannot consider you capable of receiving letters on both sides and only publishing one side (apparently your own), I must conclude that no one will say a good word for "An un-Christian Advocate of Fair Play," who, however, has my hearty sympathy, if not my entire approval. May I suggest that it never seems to have been Christ's intention to enter into the public and political life of a nation? " When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take Him by force, to make Him a king, He departed again into a mountain Himself alone." "My kingdom is not of this world," He said to one who was trying to justify Him to worldly men. "Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you P" was His answer to one who appealed to Him about a purely worldly matter. Let us have war by all means if it is neeeseary for our national prosperity, but do not let US think it will further Christianity or teach our young recruits that they fight on religious motives instead Of merely practical ones, or I am inclined to think it may be Slightly perplexing for them if they happen to read their Gospels. May 1 suggest that "A Centurion's Daughter" should read her Bible a little more carefully, and that in interpreting the

• parables to us she should not mistake the earthly story for the heavenly meaning, and that when Christ said, "Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword," He was lamenting to His Apostles—to whom, by the way, He told more than to the multitudes— what they were to expect as the immediate result of His teaching, and not explaining why He was sent into the world. This is not a protest against national defence, but merely a plea that Caesar should be given his am,