SHORTAGE OF CHRISTIAN CLERGY
[To the Editor of THE SPECTATOR.]
Sta,—Your reviewer Mr. G. Rees gives a most interesting account of The Savage Hits Back, a book showing the shrewd- ness, capability and humour of the men of colour, and wherein the missionary escapes the scathing criticism on white men at large. In the same Spectator Mr. Allen's as yet unanswered criticism appeals for a widening of ministerial doors among British settlers, as it has already done in his letters and books for a widely extended native ministry. There has lately appeared in the illustrated papers a fine picture of three bishops. In the centre the noble features of the Primate and on each side of him the strong intelligent faces of two Africans just consecrated as assistants to the English Bishop in West Africa. A heartening picture of the brotherly relation of white and black. Yet even here there is something wanting. The only thing African about the two bishops is their physiognomy. The Archbishop can make them Universit' Doctors of Divinity, and can dress them in the correctest English episcopal habit, but as yet neither he nor any European church has made a genuine African Bishop after the example
of the great Archmissionary Paul who, though he knew " grievous wolves would enter in not sparing the flock," yet relying on the Holy Spirit entrusted ministerial and episcopal powers to elders who must have had even less training than the most earnest and intelligent present-day converts. I am excluding of course the great North African Bishops whose work in that area has vanished. Mr. Alien and others with him believe that the same trust shown by S. Paul with similar methods would cause all churches to prosper and grow. It seems as if the Christian Church were awaiting such a venture of faith in order to win far wider regions to the cause of Christ.—I am, Sir, yours, &c.,
Croydon.
ROBT. P. ASHE
(formerly C.M.S. Missionary in Uganda).
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