Snt,--I was delighted to see the excellent letter from Mr.
W. James, in your issue of August 20, in defence of Mr. Kensit. Sir Compton Mackenzie went a great deal too far in what he said, parts of which are entirely without foundation and definitely misleading. His references to ' discreditable books* and ' antics' are almost a defamation of character. The books Kensit sold were largely Bibles and Prayer Books, theological works, and works dealing with the subject of which he was a brave champion. Not one of them was ' discreditable.' Kensit did not
' preach in ritualistic churches,' but in Protes- tant churches, where—in addition to preaching the gospel most faithfully—he pointed out the way in which the reformed character of the Church was being betrayed by those who had voluntarily become its ministers and had promised to adhere to its teachings. He protested in ritualistic churches against the Roman Catholic practices and teaching that he witnessed.
I knew both the original John Kensit and his son who is—or was until recently—• carrying on his father's work. Both men had a mission, and were charitable and fair in all they did or said. Both were loyal members of the Church of England and truly Christian. Sir Compton did not mention that the elder Kensit died as a result of mob-action--in Liverpool, I believe—whilst he was addressing a protestant meeting.
Sir Compton has an undoubted right to his own church preferences, but he has no right to brand as ' a preposterous little Tappertit ' a man who had the courage and conviction to point out dishonesty and betrayal where it so clearly existed.—Yours faithfully,
Northlew, OAchampion
JAMES W. BURROUGH
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