PERCENTAGE OF CHURCHGOERS
Sia,—Has not " Janus " in expressing the number of Easter communi- cants in the Church Of England as a percentage of the estimated total population of the country been guilty of conveying a false impression? Easter Communicants are necessarily drawn from among confirmed members of the Church of England; and since that church does not admit infants to confirmation, I suggest that " Janus " would have done better to have expressed the number of Easter Communicants as a fraction of that part of the population which is above the average age (say 54) of confirmation. Alternatively, he might have added to the
number of Easter communicants the estimated number of children beneath that age attending C of E. services, Sunday Schools, &c.
The results of these two computations would differ widely, and the former would certainly give juster and more acceptable estimate of the "state of church-gong" today. Yet this difference itself may serve to remind one that there is a large mass of the population who do not attend church services, but who are certainly not untouched by the influence of the Church. I submit, therefore—but here " Janus " is quite without blame—that it is monstrous to speak—as certain grim Pharisees delight to do—of England as "No longer a Christian land."
Further, that there is a real regard—often expressed m a practical fashion—for their church among these non-attenders, any clergyman who is diligent in visiting all his people will testify.—I am, your obedient
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