Protestant or Catholic ?
SIR.—Your correspondent, the Rev. A. Edward Keene, carries my full cop- currence when he protests against the perpetuation of " unsound or even misleading ideas," but what follows in his letter seems to contradict his own contention. The Shorter Oxford Dictionary defines " Protestant " as " A member or adherent of any Christian Church or body severed from the Roman Communion in the Reformation of the sixteenth century." There is no other word to use in speaking generally of the western sections of the Universal Church outside the Roman Com- munion, and it is a real disservice to the cause of Christian unity for Anglicans to disown this word. In so doing they disown their own history, for in the seventeenth century it was used by the Church of England to distinguish from the Puritans and those who were later described as " Protestant Dissenters."
It seems to be forgotten that the Methodist Church, to which I belong, and the other Free Churches, cherish their place in the Holy Catholic Church, as does the Church of England—using the word "Catholic" k- its true sense. The common basis of faith and largely of worship between the Church of England and the Tree Churches provides the ground of common fellowship and action and gives hope of closer union, while there is no present possibility of union with the Roman Communion. Prof. H. M. Gwatkin, that great Anglican historian, wrote: "If we look at the general position—at things instead of words—there can be no doubt that the official doctrine of the Church of England is as definitely Protestant as it can well be."—Yours faithfully, E. BENSON PERKINS.
Central Buildings, Oldham Street, Manchester I.
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