LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.
DISE ST.AB LI SHMENT.
r To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR."] Six,—The Church Question in Exeter seems to have obliterated every other political issue from the minds of Liberal Church. men ; and though the question of the status of the Church has long been set at rest, the Tory paper harps on the one string daily, until it seems to have lost any other idea. The Dean of Exeter printed, or allowed to be printed, his manifesto,—viz., that he would vote for the Conservative candidate. Taking all things into consideration, it does not speak well for his grati- tude towards Mr. Gladstone ; but a man remarked to me the other day that gratitude for favours to come was much more alive than for favours granted. However, in this General Election I think the Church has lost one of the grandest opportunities she ever had, of repaying with a loving hand the loyalty that has been shown to her. If the Liberal Clergy and Church. men, of which there are many, though a little weak at present, had come down to the people and said :—" It is no matter from whence this cry of Disestablishment has arisen; it has proved your love and loyalty to the Church. If we were not convinced of it, we should vote dead against you to a man ; but we are sure of it. We vote with you. Never betray that confidence we have placed in you. Never say that the members of the Church of England did not trust the people of England when they showed love and loyalty for the old institution !" Is it too late P I fear so. The moment a reaction takes place, and the party that the Church has allied herself solely to, becomes either unpopular or in the minority, then goes the Church which did not seize the opportunity to turn into a blessing for herself and the masses what was a threatened disaster.
With a repeal of the Union worked for day and night by Mr. Parnell, with Rome at his back, ostensibly supporting the Con- servatives on behalf of the Established Church, which it hates, the Liberal Churchmen of England seem to have lost their heads, and have taken no thought for the loyal Protestants of Ireland, who, if Mr. Parnell Can win the day against Mr. Glad- stone, will not have foothold in the island, unless under the
most slavish rule.—I am, Sir, &c., CURATE, EXON.
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