THE HOUSE OF LAYMEN,
[To THE EDITOR Or THE " SPECTATOR.1 Sin,—The letter of " A Lay Representative " in the issue of April 29th reveals a lamentable state of affairs, but one which is surely not beyond remedy. The Church of Eng- land has a glorious opportunity open to her. Perhaps beyond any other branch of the Church of Christ she has it in her power to become the mediator between the Old Learning and the New, but this is largely because of the large number of enlightened laity who still count them- selves among her members. But there can be but one inevi- table end if those who are best qualified to help withhold their help. The House of Laymen ought to be a barrier against obscurantism and clericalism, but at present the most effective barriers are the Bishops, who are nomi- nated by the Prime Minister, and "the official clergy" in the House of Laymen, who in a large measure indirectly owe their presence there to lay appointment. The Canterbury Convocation, where the " official clergy" are strongest, is markedly in advance of the York Convocation, where there is a larger element of "representative clergy." " The official clergy " probably fairly well represent en- lightened lay opinion, while the representative clergy are in great danger of reflecting the weaknesses of clerical character —narrowness, excessive conservatism, and a distrust of the leading of the spirit of truth. To a large section of the clergy the self-government of the Church means the clergy government of the Church, and hence their jealousy of the "official clergy." The House of Laymen exists by grace, and not by right, and can be manipulated, but the "official clergy" cannot. There must be a large number of men, like "A Lay Representative," who desire a clergy in touch with modern thought. But ultimately the succession will cease unless better conditions of service are secured for them. It is not fair to leave open to calumny those clergy who will not recite the Athanasian Creed, with its terrible damnatory clauses, or to ask candidates for Deacon's Orders in these days—" Do you unfeignedly believe all the Canonical Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments P" The conditions of service require readjust- ment, and it is most earnestly to be hoped that men like "A. Lay Representative" will exert themselves to secure them. On that the usefulness of the Church of England in the future will largely depend.—I am, Sir, &c., ARTHUR N. BAX. Long Benton Vicarage.
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