ARCHBISHOP TEMPLE AND THE CRISIS IN THE CHURCH.
[To TIEN EDITOR OF TEE "SPECTATOR."] SIEc—YOR mistake the point at issue (Spectator, July 21st) when you speak of the "outrageous attacks and virulent abuse of men who neither know nor care what is the real attitude of the men they are seeking to coerce." What, I ask you, are those in my position, which is no uncommon one, to do, who are affronted by mimicry of Rome in doctrine and ritual in their parish church, with no Protestant church within several miles as an alternative P Are our children to grow accustomed to scarlet and lace upon acolytes, and gorgeous banners to the Queen of Heaven, and the other accessories of the Mass P We might as well implore brazen idols to help us as the Bishops. We have no choice but to fight with such weapons as we can procure, till we win our constitutional right to have the services reformed and the idolatrous ornaments removed.—I am, Sir, &c.,
C. W. LiTrzuNs.
[We have always held that the Bishops should be specially careful to restrain an excessive ritual in village churches, as rural parishioners have not the option of attending another church. We cannot profess to judge whether in the case of our correspondent the ritual is excessive, and we must decline to enter upon any controversy on this point.— En. Spectator.]
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