[TO THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR. "] Sin,—I as a layman
am not a little disappointed that the effort for the disuse of the Athanasian Creed has failed. I thank you for various excellent remarks upon the question and for the in- sertion of the very good letters of the Rev. W. Minton and the Rev. Mr. Baldwin Brown on the 11th inst.
I am inclined to think that the thoughtful laity should now declare themselves more plainly, and should determine and publicly announce their determination not to attend any Church service where the Athanasian Creed is read. For some years I have done so. I either go to a church where I know that the Athanasian Creed will not be read, or stay away from church altogether.
If laymen generally would do so, those clergymen who from a love of antiquity and from a deep belief in the doctrine of Trinity in Unity desire to maintain the use of the Athanasian Creed, would probably sooner or later spare us the recital of what is to us in the highest degree offensive. At any rate, they might have the Creed sung as the Rubric permits, and thus remove it out of the region of logic into that of ancient poetry, in which the strong expressions would be less painful than they now are.—I am, Sir, &c.,
A THOROUGH Tnm-rrrinfax.
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