THE RITUAL COMMISSION.
[To THB EDITOR Or TRH "SPECTATOR."
itll your usual impartiality you will, I am sure, if you have space, admit this expression of views although they do not coincide with your own. The introduction of a new rubric into the Prayer-book, as suggested by the Royal Com- mission, which rubric would have to be submitted to, and probably be debated by, the Houses of Parliament, would impose on us clergy an authority which we could not con- scientiously recognise. Most of us are, I hope, willing to pay loyal obedience to the Bishop under whom we serve, or to defer to a lawfully constituted spiritual body such as a Synod of Bishops would be, or the Houses of Convocation are, and we should be prepared to show every respect to the opinions of the House of Laymen, consisting as it does of members of the Church of England. But to take our orders from the House of Commons, a body certainly not adapted to discuss, still less to decide, matters doctrinal and ceremonial, would be so repugnant to many of us that we should welcome such independence as Disestablishment would afford as an alterna- tive much to be preferred.—I am, Sir, &c., Holy Trinity Vicarage, Barnstaple. C. W. H. KENRIOIL
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