THE SMCKE OF HER BURNING.
The Smoke. of Her Burning. (Grant Richards. 2s. 6d. net.)— This is a fierce, and, we feel bound to say, frequently unjust, attack on the Anglican Church. To say that. twenty-two out of the thirty-five Bishops are men of extreme views is an exaggeration, though the phrase "extreme views " is so vague that it can scarcely be confuted. It is absolutely incorrect to say that "many are or have been members of the Church Union." It is a mistake to speak of-the "lofty ideals" of Creamer. Very cruel and unjust things have been said of him, but he was not a man of ideals. The writer hates the Broad as well as the High Church. "Lux Mundi" seems to be as objectionable as any Romanising manual. Then we have the ridiculous fallacy of overpaid Bishops. The writer goes so far as to give something very like the lie direct to one Bishop in this matter. This Bishop stated:—" If I had not a private fortune I should to-day be bankrupt." What does our author say ?—"I appreciate the hearty ring of sincerity which distinguishes this statement, but I feel that our disbelief in its general tenor is pardonable." It is characteristic of the book that the income of 'the -See in question is overstated by .2800. It should be X4,200; it is given as .E5,000. There are true things in the book, but it is a diacreditable production. -
Previous page
