THE EFFACEMENT OF ST. PAUL'S.
[To TILE EDITOR, OF TIM "SPECL'ATOR,"1 SIR,—It must be matter of sincere regret to all who have owed much in times past to the sermons at St. Paul's Cathedral, to find that, for the present at least, the old traditions are suspended. Till a few months since, the Chapter of St. Paul's included the two greatest preachers, in combined spiritual and intellectual force, in the Church of England,—though, unhappily, the weak health and advanced years of Dean Church seldom allowed him directly to impress himself upon religious thought from the pulpit. The loss of both these men, it may candidly be granted, was irreparable. At the same time, it might have been hoped that an effort would be made to maintain a succession of preachers who would continue to make the pulpit of St. Paul's a power and an attraction. The two Cathedrals of London should surely be regarded as having a unique opportunity in this respect. Even if the posts in our Cathedrals elsewhere are legitimately regarded as rewards for good service of other kinds rendered to the Church, it might well be recognised as a principle that St. Paul's and Westminster Abbey should be recruited from men able to speak with effectiveness to those large audiences who, as experience has shown, are readily gathered together when a man of intellect and devoutness has something to say, and knows how to say it. I need not add that no intention is here shown of disparaging the high character and learning of the gentlemen lately promoted.—I am, Sir, &c.,
A LONDON CLERGYMAN.
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