17 JANUARY 1970, Page 26

The Devil wore a crucifix

Sir: Permit me to say that I did not like George Gale's piece, 'The devil wore a crucifix' (3 January). Selfishness is no sure remedy for witch-hunting and persecution; the Ephesian silversmiths who denounced St Paul were acting as selfishly as Mr Gale could wish. Since my self-interest requires that constables sometimes catch those *horn they pursue. I have no qualms in quoting for his edification what the late Rev Canon Sydney Smith (most tolerant and worldly of clergymen) once wrote. '... if any man asks, why am I to do what is generally useful? he should not be reasoned with but called rogue, rascal. etc., and the mob should be ex- cited to break his windows.'