A PLEA FOR PURITANISM.
[To THE EDITOR OP THE " SPECTATOR."] SIR,—In these days everyone attacks the Puritan ; no one dares to say a good word for him. But the attacks are usually founded on misconceptions. With all respect to Mr. Stone, I venture confidently to assert that the Puritan does not believe he has a higher standard of morals than his neighbour's. He feels that he himself is a very great sinner, he finds that he has very little strength to fight temptations, and he judges (from their conduct) that other people are very like him. It is this consciousness of sin and human weakness which looks to outward restraints to keep him and others in the strait and narrow path. The true Puritan cannot be proud and self-righteous; by the necessity of his creed he is always humble, knowing that be is a miserable sinner. The ground on which a Puritan should be attacked is that an exaggerated and ever-present humility weakens and ultimately destroys moral courage. Yet, after all, we most of us -very weak and helpless.—I am, Sir, &c.,
AUSTIN H. JOHNSON.
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