29 JULY 1911, Page 13

CHRISTIAN UNITY.

[To THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."] SIR,—As Mr. Sutton Nelthorpe remarks in the Spectator of July 15th, there used to obtain two or three generations ago much more practical and charitable intercourse between " Church " and "Chapel." I possess a very rare copy of the defunct Settle Chronicle and North Ribblesdale Advertiser, and in the issue dated Nov. 1st, 1854, there is an account of a former Vicar of Giggleswick (Rev. Rowland Ingram, M.A.) taking an evening service at Zion Independent Chapel, Settle, and this he continued to do for six months. Just at this time the Independents were without a regular pastor, and Giggles- wick Church had its " Evensong" in the afternoon. Giggleswick has four daughter churches, of which the Church of the Holy Ascension, Settle, is one. Parson Ingram was robed in his sur- plice and read the evening prayers of the Church of England, Mr. John Hardacre "clerking" for him. Having changed into his gown Mr. Ingram ascended the pulpit, and the fol- lowing is an excerpt from the newspaper account of the preacher's remarks at the close of his sermon :— " He believed that there was no dispute amongst any of the bodies of Christians about there being a Divinely appointed ministry. He was one of Christ's ministers, and with the sanction of the Bishop (Right Rev. Dr. B. Bickersteth), his spiritual ruler in Christ, and the sanction of the Incumbent of Settle (Rev. W. F. Pierson, B.A.) he appeared there that evening. Then friends had been most kind in their offer of the chapel. They had freely given him permission and he freely undertook to preach the Word of God. He differed with them on many important points, but on very many important points he cordially agreed with them. His one aim was to do good."

There were large congregations and the services were greatly appreciated. This catho:ic-spirited clergyman's father was the Master of Giggleswick Grammar School. There are still living in Craven some kinsfolk of his, and the Right Hon and Right Rev. Dr. A. F. W. Ingram, Bishop of London, is a

" Cravendale," Giggleswick. (M.R.C.S., Churchwarden).