Sui,—" Student " must have been greatly impressed with Canon
Marriott's letter in your last issue. I can imagine him feeling that it was the last word—the last word of hopelessness as far as the Church is concerned.
But " Student " will admit that there is no reason why Jesus may not have said " the last word " about some aspects of religion. " Two thousand years ago " is nothing to do with it, either " because " or " although:' Most people will agree that the sayings of Jesus—or the majority of them—as far as we are able to judge, are very true. And it is the truth of them that matters, whether they were uttered 2,000 years ago or yesterday. So, too, with the sayings of any other world-teacher.
Canon Marriott does not say what he means by a " religion of revela- tion." Revelation—however clear—must surely leave room for under- standing and interpretation. Einstein might reveal to me the last word about relativity ; but all he told me, as far as I am concerned, would depend upon my capacity to understand what he was saying. Of course, if he told me the moon was made of green cheese, and I trusted him sufficiently, I could believe it ; just as the majority of the Nazis could and did believe wholeheartedly the fulsome nonsense talked by their Fiihrer. But is that the kind of faith the Church demands? If so, how does Canon Marriott explain the bitter controversies amongst the authori- ties of religion as to the meaning and interpretation of this " revelation" throughout the centuries since it was given? Surely if the " revelation " had been clear and unequivocal our libraries ought not to be full of count- less tomes explaining in a vast variety of interpretations exactly what it did mean? " That is just what the younger generation cannot accept," says Canon Marriott, and he might have added, " very many of the older generation, too." " But it is also," he continues, " what the Christian Church cannot recant.": " Recant " is an ugly word ; how much has Canon Marriott already recanted of teaching which can be.proved up to the hilt from Holy Scripture? r " Where the worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched "! " Interpretation is the word he would use in this - connection—and so give his whole case away!
" Student " has my sincere sympathy ; but perhaps he will allow me to say religion needs people like him if it is to be saved from hopeless obscurantism ; people who desire the truth supremely, and are prepared to " prove all things, and hold fast that which is good."—Yours truly,
Willersey Rectory, Broadway, Worcs A. F. G. arraiER.
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