THE PROPOSED CHURCH FRANCHISE.
[To THE EDITOR • OF THE "SPECTATOR.') Sni,—Whatever else may be doubtful, there can be no doubt that the proposals of the Bishop of Oxford are a definite declaration of war by his followers against the schools of thought which in the nineteenth century were identified with the names of Maurice and Kingsley and of Arnold and Stanley. It is these schools which will be virtually excluded from all Church Councils. Now, though they are not numerous among the clergy, nor vocal among the laity, the fact that these schools have their footing within the Church secures the silent allegiance of the great hulk of those who officially describe themselves as members of the Church of England and who make up a very large proportion of our con- gregations. The result of the proposed franchise would be that these loyal members of the Church of England would see not a National Church, but a sect like all the other sects. It would be a Church in England, not the Church of England. and their loyalty would be gone. It is n revolution that is proposed, and it is inconceivable that a sect of two millions would he left in possession of the national cathedrals, the parish churches, and the tithes by the nation as a whole. Yet the danger that this revolu- tion will be accepted without any organized resistance is very great. The persons affected have neither organization nor organ. They are unable to get into touch with one another. Their only friend in the Press is the Spectator. It is most urgently necessary that you should conduct a cainpaign as vigorous and as ceaseless as your "Down Glasses" against this fatal proposal. The Spectator is our one hope, and I sincerely frost that we may in our extremity rely on your full support. I am persuaded thet if we were really organized we should be able to succeed. But time presses, and except for most excellent but sporadic letters in the Times nothing is being done.—I am, Sir, de., A. E. T. NEWNAN.
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