THE CRISIS IN THE CHURCH
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.]
Sin,—Allow me to endorse Lord Wohner's admirable letter on the alleged crisis in the Church. I venture to think that the view I have always held is sound, namely, that an established Church involves of necessity the widest limits of tolerance within the law, limits which must be clearly laid down and enforced by the law. I believe personally that the Deposited Book complies with this requirement ; and, as is well known, proposals for the reform of the Church Courts have been set out in a Report signed by Churchmen of all schools and favourably received by the Assembly. The merits and consequences of Disestablishment arc another question.
I have always rigorously- avoided joining any Church organization which could possibly be charged with " party " views. If, which I deny, an earnest desire that the new Book should become law is a " party " aim, I am proud to be a member of such a party. The Church Times describes us gracefully as " Subservients," and remarks that Revision makes strange bedfellows. The proverbial reference is a two-edged sword ; it is Adversity --an adverse majority
of nearly 8 to 1—whieh has bedded together in uncomfortable proximity the Bishop of Worcester and Dr. Darvell Stone.
Dr. Barnes and Dr. Sparrow Simpson, the Bishop of Norwich and the Rev. C. E. Douglas ; and I believe it is a fact that the minority in the Lower Houses of Convocation consisted of exactly equal numbers of " Diehards " on each side.
• Lord Wolmer has answered by anticipation the charge of subservience, which is not, even in party politics, the same thing as confidence in and loyalty to one's leaders. Nor is there any apparent reason for subservience on the part of persons of such independent though various types of mind as Lord Beauchamp, Mr. W. C. Tiridgeman, Mr. Noel Buxton, Sir Malcolm Graham, Sir Frederick Kenyon, Dame Beatrice Hudson Lyall, Sir George II. Murray, Dr. Norwood, Lord Salisbury, Mr. Owen Hugh Smith, Lady Mary Treffisis, and Dr. Jane Walker—to name only a dozen laymen who have not taken a prominent part in " Church pclities."--I am, Sir, &c.,
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