7 APRIL 1967, Page 23

An Easter sermon

Sir: I suppose one can assume, human nature being what it is, that a sermon from a reformed sinner cuts more ice with most of us than a sermon preached by a saint.

That Mr Hogg is a sinner no one would dispute —least of all himself. Whether be is reformed must be left to a Higher Authority. Let us hope that there are a number of 'reformed sinners' knocking about. But it would be a frightful bore if they all gave us an Easter sermon; particularly if they were written like Mr Hogg's.

As a non-intellectual subscriber to the SPEC- TATOR, I should be grateful, Mr Editor, if you would tell us what precise virtue—among reformed sinners—Mr Hogg possesses which makes him qualified to deliver the Easter message.

I remain, an unqualified, unreformed sinner.

Henry Burrows

Little Elfords, Hawkhurst, Kent