11 SEPTEMBER 1942, Page 13

CHRISTIANITY AND CHURCH

Sig,—I am asked by Mr. Maynard to state exactly what I desire to have altered. This information has already been given in my letter which appeared in your issue of August 14th, namely, .permission to substitute

the Apostles' Creed for the Nicene when celebrating the Holy Com- munion. It is not my desire, however, merely to plead my own particular case in your columns, but to point out the acknowledged disability of the Church of England to alter any of her formularies, even when urged by Convocation and the Church Assembly, without the consent of Parliament.

It is mainly for this reason that the Church faas to secure for her Ministry some of the More brilliant intellects among graduates who have

definite religious vocation. Many also, after ordination, have eagerly

pursued . their study of theology, and, through keeping an open mind, have been led to change their point of view, as in my own case. In some cases, however, family ties make it even more difficult to decide what

Is the most honourable course to adopt. For one who has honest convictions which conflict with the present formularies of the Church,

even though these convictions can be supported by arguments which have proved invulnerable, there is no other alternative than compromise or resignation.

Archbishop Lang once proposed the maxim: "Comprehension for the lake of truth, not compromise for the sake of peace." I wish to follow

this maxim, and the result is that I am barred from continuing my ministry as a parish priest. The attitude of compromise has been tried by the Modernist school, but your Cambridge correspondent "P. G.-S.," whose letter appeared also in your issue of August 14th, must acknow- ledge that very little progress has yet been made through this method