Church Action and Principles of TJaion. Papers read before the
Diocesan Conference at Wells, and the Ruridocanal Conference at Bridgewater. By the Rev. II. S. Escott, M.A.—These are excellent papers. In the second especially, on "Oar Unhappy Divisions," there are some suggestions very much needed by the clergy of the day. He ronlinds the three divisions of High, Low, and Broad Church, that "if the countless varieties of the human mind are to receive truth at all," th.iy should remember that "there must be a corresponding variety in their perceptions of it,—the different media (so to speak) refracting at a different angle the ray of light." Mr. Escott lays it down as "a principle, that in religion, aa in other matters, nen may differ, and probably must differ, without either side having cause to charge% the other with being morally wrong." Ho asks :—" Is there not a real and important difference between Ecclesiastical and Personal truths ? Between those which affect the form of the body corporate, and those which affect the individual life ? Between truths which we receive as such wholly on external autherity--whether of Scripture or Church tradition—and such as we call, to some extent, verify for ourselves, by our own experience, and by their effects upon others ?" Ho asks again," Should we not re- cognise that religious doctrines, held out of due proportion, oven if true in themselves, become relatively untrue, and that a teacher may maintain propositions in themselves defensible from Scripture, and yet contradict the main tenor and spirit of the Scriptures ?" There are many other excellent suggestions, tending to more largeness and liberality of thought, with a view to greater unity—suggestions which amply justify Mr. Escott's publication of these thoughtful Mom
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