Though the deadlock still continues in the Scottish Church case,
evidences are accumulating of a sincere and general desire to promote a modus vivendi. Thus it is stated that a large and influential body of United Free Churchmen, while absolutely loyal to their leaders, favour the appointment of a board of arbitrators wholly dis- sociated from either side, the names suggested being Lord Rosebery, Lord Balfour of Burleigh, Lord Aberdeen, Mr. Asquith,. Lord Storm onth Darling, with the Archbishop of Canterbury as chairman, legislative action, promoted by both sides, to be taken after the arbitrators had given their decision. We may also notice the very able and reasonable letter of Sir Edward Fry to the Times of Friday, in which, after vindicating the impartiality and competence of the House of Lords, be holds the nation entitled to demand from the victorious body "a consideration of the question whether they ought in foro conscientiae to carry away all the spoils of war." 'He accordingly suggests that the Free Church should content itself by taking all that it can beneficially use, leaving the rest to its former possessors. " To-do this would be to save something—perhaps much—for
the United Church ; and the Free Church would be in a far stronger and nobler position if it only took such wealth as it could well use than if it sought to carry off the whole spoils, Under the weight of which its spiritual life would be crushed. They would experience the truth that it is more blessed to give than to receive." He also appeals to the United Free Church to reconsider their refusal of the Free Church's offer to remain in possession till June, 1905, on condition of under- taking to preach nothing contrary to the doctrines of the Free Church, on the ground that there must surely be enough of Christian truth in common to the two Churches to fill the discourses of all the United Church ministers in the interval. " The condition implies no renunciation of one iota of doctrine ; only silence in a certain place and for a certain time."
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