ITO THE EDITOR OF THE SPECTATOR:1
Sin,—There is much truth in your remarks on the strict legal force of the new Ornaments Rubric, and on the lack of statesmanship exhibited by the Lower House of Convocation in its hasty conclusions. But I think you under-estimate the force of the reasons which induce the Ritualist School, as a whole, which is not at all blind to the existing state of the controversy, to acquiesce in the arrangement, at least provisionally. First of all, the Bishops, by suffering the Bishop of Lincoln to act as. their spokesman, have publicly committed themselves to that interpretation of the new Rubric 'which the President of the E.C.U. puts upon it ; and are pledged in honour to maintain it Undoubtedly, the Civil Courts need not, and most probably would not, take notice of any such understanding, which does. not appear definitely in the wording of the new Rubric and might contrive to misinterpret the law, as they have done already on several occasions. But to enable them. to do so, the Bishops must be consenting parties to pro- secutions for *rearing the vestments, &c.; and the moment any Bishop does so consent, he breaks his pledge, upseta the understanding arrived at, and unless repudiated by his colleagues, exasperates the Lower House of Convocation with the sting of having been artfully tricked into a false posi- tion, and thereby excites the resentment of by far the largest and most influential section of the clergy, who are very fairly represented by the Proctors, and by some at least of the official members of Convocation. The storm that would arise in consequence cannot be safely faced. in a crisis like the pre- sent, with Disestablishment knocking at the doors ; and the Bishops, whatever else they may believe, are quite sure that Disestablishment will not suit them.
Next, Ritualism, if a clerical movement alone, would have no chance for a moment. Its real strength is in the large and. rapidly-growing body of lay sympathy. A breach of the com- pact would largely swell this body, and give it a substantial grievance, not to be wisely risked just now.
Lastly, acceptance of this new arrangement, much as there is to be said. against it, and in favour of a Fabian policy till events work themselves clear of the present state of flux and change,. proves before the world that the Ritualists do not watt, and never have wanted, to force unwelcome ceremonies on reluctant clerks and congregations, but merely ask for liberty to obey the law themselves ; and. further, that they are not mere stiff- necked. opponents of authority, who must have everything their own way, but reasonable men, perfectly willing to obey their ecclesiastical superiors, so long as these latter govern fairly and. according to law, and not with capricious autocracy. In my judgment, it would be best to let the Rubrics alone; but the pre- sent compact, if honestly acted on—which will require the screw to be put pretty tightly on two or three prelates—may help to bring about peace.—I am, Sir, &C., RICHARD P. LITTLEDALE.
9 Red Lion Square, London, W.C., july 19th.
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