THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.]
SIR,—As a friend, not only of Mr. Malcolm Thomson, but also of the truth, I must protest against the misstatement on the part of one of your reviewers in your issue of May 31st, The person in question quotes Mr. Thomson's assertion that the Scottish Church " is the active opponent of any real recrudescence of Scottish national spirit," but is evidently under the impression that the author means by this phrase' " the agitation of a little clique for Scottish Home Rule.' Had your reviewer, however, gone so far as to read the very next sentence he might have noticed that Mr. Thomson was particularly careful to point out that he does not " refer to politics, but to nationalism in its widest, most comprehensive aspect."
I Specially mention this point, as it seems to me to spoil what is a most welcome innovation on the part of an English periodical and one which I hope will be repeated : the pro- duction of a special number devoted to Scottish affairs. It fnight, however, be advisable next time to go into the question of Scottish Home Rule rather more deeply than in your recent
issue.—I am, Sir, &c., J. H. WB-I,TE. i136 Nethergate, Dundee.
[Our reviewer writes :—" Mr. Thomson says that the Church of Scotland ' is definitely ranged against those adven- turous spirits who are discontented with their country's present plight and are resolved to make a fight for it.' If this does not refer to the few so-called Nationalists, what meaning has it ? The suggestion that the Scottish Church is indifferent to, or suspicious of, true Scottish nationalism, however you define it, seems to me utterly false and, indeed, preposterous."—En. Spectator.]
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