The Archbishop of Canterbury evidently thought it his -duty to
say something on that great yearning for unity to which the Pope's letter to the English people had testified as one of the great signs of the present time. But we do not think that his Grace had anything very explicit to say. Of course he recognises the craving for unity as a natural and just craving. But of course, also, he thinks that we must not gratify our craving for unity at the expense of our craving for truth. He condemns the observances which "do not even halt at Medievalism, but merely reproduce modern Roman innovations in ritual and doctrine." And he thinks that the English Church has a great duty resting upon it to offer a shelter to those whom neither Rome nor the newest lights of criticism can content. It is remarkable that in enumerating the Anglican notes of a true Church, Dr. Benson does not appear to lay any stress on its Apostolic succession, though he speaks of its "Apostolic creed and constitution," and of its being " rooted in the Past." What these roots are the Arch- bishop does not distinctly define.
Previous page
