14 MARCH 1914, Page 18

THE BISHOP OF ZANZTBAR.

I've ma Marron or Mt 4. Srmrt-nrol.-.1 Sre.,—May I be allowed to call attention to a pert of the Bishop of Zanzibar's second letter which seems to have received scant attention P He says that the Bishop of Mombasa, when acting for the late Bishop of Zanzibar, refused to ordain U.M.C.A. candidates on the ground that the diocesan teaching was, in his opinion, inconsistent with loyalty to the Church of England. He asserts, further, that native Christians who leave his diocese for that of Mombasa are subjected to what "falls little short of religions persecu- tion," being insulted and threatened with excommunication if they continue to make the sign of the Cross—a practice customary in the primitive Church (Tertullian, Be Carona Militia, III). So far as I know, these charges have not been denied. All those who are interested in missionary work are, I imagine, anxious to see mutual sympathy between the Church of England and other religions bodies. But surely charity should begin at home. Surely toleration, if not sym- pathy, should be shown towards those members of the same Church who, though they may differ from their Evangelical brethren in non-essentials, are one with them in all the things that really matter. And this failure in charity is peculiarly unfortunate at a time when, here in England, Evangelical and High Churchmen are getting to understand each other, and are drawing more closely together, that so they may more effectually fight the common foe—unbelief.—I am, Sir, &e.,

PRESBYTtR SENESCENT:I.