RELIGIOUS PROCESSIONS.
[To THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."] SIR,—The comments of " Laicus " in your issue of April 22nd, on the Good Friday procession in London, appear to me to be hardly fair, and to miss the point. He attributes ostentation to the procession. Ostentation may, I think, be roughly defined as vulgar, selfish display. I should say there was nothing of this about the procession, and that nothing could be more remote from the mental attitude of those who organised it. Considering Our Saviour's permission of his triumphal entry into Jerusalem, He cannot be said to have discouraged religions processions. I take it that the object of the organisers of this procession was to touch the heart of as many as possible of the London populace. They, like all mankind, have the tinder, so to speak, of spirituality in them, too often overlaid with indifference and the cares of this world. The desire was, I presume, to transmit a spark to this tinder. That this object may have been largely attained must be the earnest wish of all men of good will As to the danger of a precedent, I should say that if every procession were considered on its merits no harm would result. The proposed Roman Catholic procession referred to by " Laictes" evidently could not be permitted because of the imminent danger of rioting attending it. This procession involved no such risk, and taking place as it did on Good Friday caused probably a minimum interference with traffic.—I am, Sir, &o.,
MODERITS CHURCHMAN.
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