28 FEBRUARY 1914, Page 16

[To Ins Banos es run “Sreernon."] Sin,—The only logical conclusion

from your note to Dr. Field's letter in your last issue seems to be that the clergy are to be compelled to read into the rubric the words " before the age of twenty-one." After that age, apparently, confirmation is unnecessary. This is interesting. May I ask if I have correctly interpreted your meaning P—I am, Sir, &o., [We do not wish to compel the clergy to read anything into the rubrics. We merely state what in our belief is the law—namely, that unconfirmed persons cannot be repelled. Our correspondent will no doubt say that this is illogical. We agree; but we are not endeavouring to prove the rubrics to be logical, but to state the law. If there is a conflict between legal obligations, the Courts have to decide which in a particular case is the superior or binding rule. They would, we are convinced, find it in the rubrics of the Communion Service. The fact that it has not in the past two hundred and fifty years been the practice to repel unconfirmed com- municants of the age of discretion offers strong support to our view. The precedents are on our side—En. Spectator.]