THE " VICAR."
ITo THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR.")
Stits—The attitude adopted by the "Vicar of Christ " towards the war, as indicated by events or by the pleas of his apologists, is apparently at variance with that of his Principal towards some- what parallel incidents, as recorded in or to be inferred from the Gospels. Possibly a reconciliation might be most easily effected
by a revision of -these records on some such lines as would bring the Principal's sentiments into harmony. I suggest a few examples.
The Temptation.—"I am prepared to fall in with your proposal; but as you may be unable to fulfil your promise of temporal power, I must stipulate that the secrecy of the compact be pre- served, so that I may be in a position, in case of your failure, to repudiate or deny it. I will, however, do all that is compatible with such secrecy to secure success for your enterprises, and to mitigate any penalties you may incur."
The Massacre of the Innocents.—" I have not been able to obtain accurate statistics. No doubt there has been considerable exag- geration; nor must I assume the attitude of a judge. Full allow- ance should be made for important dynastic considerations which would seem to justify the plea of necessity.'
The Murder of St. John the Baptist.—" St. John was unfor- tunately headstrong. His interference with Herod's arrange- ments was injudicious. I must discountenance any challenge of autocratic authority, in the maintenance of which ray own interests are involved."
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