Letters to the Editor
[Correspondents are requested to keep their letters as brief as is reasonably possible. The most suitable length is that of one of our News of the Week" paragraphs. Signed letters are given a preference over those bearing a pseudonym.—Ed. THE SPECTATOR.]
GUIDANCE AND THE GROUPS
[To the Editor of THE SPECTATOR.] SIR,—The wise advice given by the Dean of Exeter in regard to discrimination in the matter of Divine guidance should be taken to heart by all Christian people, and particularly by those who are associated with the Oxford Group Movement.
It is all-important that ideas which come to us in times of spiritual meditation should not be put into practice unless they are approved by the best reason and are in harmony with the highest ideals that can be conceived of for life. I do not think it can be denied that in certain cases the good name of the Group Movement has suffered injury by reason of the erratic conduct of individuals, who, believing themselves to be acting under guidance, have caused their friends quite needless inconvenience, thereby going against the standard of absolute love.
There are certainly occasions in a Christian's life when he may have to make choices which deeply offend friends or relatives who are little in touch with the will of God ; but, in the main, the effect of perfect consecration should be to make us more and not less considerate of the feelings of others, and more, and not less, dependable as colleagues in matters sacred or secular. Whether it be a question of helping some- one in Christian service or in business, or merely of showing ordinary courtesy to a hostess or a fellow-guest in connexion with some social function, the rule still holds good.
God, who can see so far into the future, rarely has to ask us to dash off on some sudden errand, leaving our proper job unfinished or for someone else to do ; nor does He normally have to require us to offend against the principles of sound
• fellowship by making promises so vague and conditional that no one can be sure whether we really can be counted on to turn up or not. If we are always at the disposal of our Heavenly Father, He is both able and willing to indicate His desires for us sufficiently far ahead to prevent the infliction of needless inconvenience on other members of the human
family.—I am, Sir, &c., TAVISTOCK. The Place House, Peasmarsh, Sussex.
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