(TO THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR."1
SIR,—I have read with deep regret your remarks on the refusal of the Bishop of Manchester to institute Mr. Cowgill to the living of St. John's, Miles Platting. I agree with Mr. Hughes in the opinion that the Bishop has made a noble stand, and I think he deserves the support of all loyal Churchmen.
I, in common with my Evangelical brethren, deplore the action of the Bishop of London in the Mackonochie case, and consider it fatal to the introduction of true peace into our divided Church. It would seem as if the Episcopal Bench, with a few honourable exceptions, had ceased to resist the reintroduction of sacerdotal errors, both in teaching and practice, into the Church,—nay, had resolved to throw their shield over such errors, though they are opposed to the prin- ciples of the Reformation, and to the existing constitution of the Church, as established by law. The Evangelical body is still a power and an influence in the Church, though, to read some of the secular papers, one might think it was dead past revival; and many outside the Church Association are sorely grieved and troubled by the late official connivance with the sacerdotal conspiracy.
I trust a general expression of sympathy may before long be conveyed to the Bishop of Manchester, from those who admire the firmness and dignified moderation he has shown in circum- stances of undoubted difficulty.—I am, Sir, &c.,
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