RELIGIOUS PROCESSIONS.
[TO THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR."] SIR,—The late procession through the streets to St. Paul's of clergy and laity seems to me to call for notice. My own feeling is that religious ostentation of all kinds is opposed to the spirit of Christ's teaching. Let clergy, if they like, organise processions within the walls of their churches. But when the public streets are used for this purpose the desire " to be seen of men " is obvious. However, it is not for me to judge my brother ; "to his own Master he standeth or falleth." The question is how the precedents which are being established by these displays are likely to affect the convenience of the public. Not so long ago a procession outside.the precincts of a Roman Catholic Cathedral was for- bidden ; but if one sect of Christians be allowed to conduct processions in the public streets to the great inconvenience of the public, how can we in fairness forbid other sects to follow their example ? When the different sects begin to "demonstrate" in this manner, the bigger the procession the greater the importance of the sect. It is quite conceivable that in times of excitement these religious processions may lead to rioting. My feeling always was that the indulgence extended to the Salvation Army might form a dangerous precedent. Before a prescriptive right to make these de- monstrations is acquired it seems to me desirable that the question should be thoroughly considered and discussed.—
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