• LETTERS TO THE EDITOR. --a- - ROMAN CATHOLICS AND PROTESTANTS.
[To THE iarron OF THE " SPECTATOR."] Sin,—Is it not the case that the Catholic understands the social side of religious life, and the Protestant the indirldual side ? . and are not both important ? In the affairs of the nation no responsible statesman Would advocate the indi- vidualism of Mr. Auberon Herbert or the Socialism Of Mr. Keir Hardie. The extremes are wrong because they are negative. Individual freedom must be combined with social responsi- bility. Is it not equally important. that the Catholic and the Protestant sides of life should be seen to be complementary and not antagonistic to each other? For both are in the best sense positive and useful for a healthy life.—I am, Sir, &c., [There is truth in our correspondent's contention, as all fair-minded and tolerant Protestants would admit. We fear, however, that the chief authorities of the Roman Catholic Communion would hardly agree as to the essential need of Protestantism which our correspondent lays down. We hold that there is room, nay, need for many. and diverse forms of Christian faith, and that "God fulfils Himself in many ways, lest one good custom should corrupt the world" ; but in view of the Pope's complaints as to the activity of Protestantism in Rome, and the tone and temper of Cardinal Vaughan's public utterances, it is difficult to think that the opinion as to Protestantism expressed by our correspondent is their opinion. We hope, however, we may be wrong in this supposition.— ED. Spectator.]
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