[To Tim EDITOZ OF THE "SPECTATOR.,"]
Sin,—Selden said that our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ suffered Judas to take the Communion. The fact, I suppose, is indisputable. Perhaps Audi Alteram Partem is like the old lady who objected not only to working but to walking on Sundays, and when she was reminded that Jesus Christ walked in the fields on the Sabbath Day, replied, "I think none the better o' the Lord Jesus Christ for that."
This discussion reminds me of an anecdote of Sir Rowland Hill. He used to go about to various Dissenting chapels without troubling himself much as to minute differences of creed, and on one particular Sunday he found himself amongst strangers. The ordinary worship came to an end and the Sacrament was about to he administered. Rowland Hill pre- sented himself as a communicant, but was interrupted by one of the elders of the church, who asked him if he belonged to their special persuasion. "Well," was the answer, "I am a sincere Christian, and accept all the great Christian doctrines with absolute faith, but as to being exactly one of you I do not suppose that I am." "In that case," was the reply, "I an afraid that we cannot admit you to our table." "Oh! indeed," retorted Rowland Hill, "I beg you ten thousand pardons I
would not intrude for the world ; but then, you see, I thought it was the Lord's table." From this it would appear that. the "intolerance" complained of is not, or has not always been, restricted to the Anglican communion. The Noncon- formist minister lying in the Nursing Home was probably feeling as forlorn and in need of sympathy and consolation and comfort as Lucy Snows in Rue Fossette, but was not quite as fortunate as she was.—I am, Sir, &e.,
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