6 MAY 1911, Page 3

We note with no small satisfaction that the Bishop of

Hereford has issued a letter to his Diocese stating that he is inviting to a Coronation celebration of the Holy Com- munion both members of the Established Church " and also such of our Nonconformist neighbours and friends who may feel moved to join in our worship on this unique occasion." The Bishop proceeds to show that though scruples may arise in the minds of some of the clergy, there is no real ground for them. Many men, because they feel " that episcopacy is essential to the Church of Christ," consider that "communion with non-episcopal Christians is difficult to accept." "But it is now almost universally recognised that, whilst episcopacy (to use the language of theologians) is of the beam esse, it is not of the esse of the Church; in other words, that, good and valuable as history has proved it, and as we believe it to be, it is not an essential and indispensable part of the Church's organisation." Therefore there is no reason why episcopal and non-episcopal Christians should not kneel together at the Lord's Table.