I am not surprised that the Archbishop of York and
Canon Campbell :should have voiced what I believe is general astonishment at the calculated denigration by The Times of the discussions on Christian union that have for sonic time been in progress between representatives of the Church of England and the Free Churches. Of course there are wide differences between Anglicans and Free Churchmen (though whether they are as wide as those separating the Bishop of Birmingham and Mr. Athelstan Riley may well be doubted) ; of course there are gulfs to be bridged ; and unless I am mistaken The Times in the past has expressed itself wisely and construct- tively on the subject. But now the approval given by Convocation is " rather mistaken enthusiasm " ; " the truth about all these well-meant efforts is that they rest on a mistaken idea " ; whatever was meant by the aspiration of Christ Himself " that they may be one " there can be no presumption that it covers union between episcopal and non-episcopal churches ; " a premature union of organization, imposed by the efforts of a few enthusiasts, would be both false in its conception and deplorable in its consequences." Perhaps. But does The Times want to make it more, or less, premature ?
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