3 MAY 1935, Page 20

THE CHURCH AND WAR

[To the Editor of THE SPECTATOR.] SIR,---I have no wish to pursue this correspondence further than to say, in answer to Mr. Kennard Davis' point about Article 37, that I cannot see how any Law could ever be amended or rescinded if those who are bound to obey it may not speak against it. For instance, Members of Parliament themselves would be debarred from agitating for alteration of the Laws of the land. The Articles proceeded in the first place from the Church ; it is for the Church to agitate, if it is

thought desirable, for their amendment ; the individual, in so doing, must say :

" Although in my opinion war, &c. is a sin, yet the Laws of the Church of England at present state that it is lawful ' therefore we are anxious to amend those Laws, which at one time we may have believed to be in every particular true."

This question opens the door to another correspondence on " Clerical veracity in subscribing to the 39 Articles," to which you, Sir, are very welcome !—Yours, &c.,