SIE,—As one of the "large contingent of clergymen" who went
up, not to shout, but to vote against the proposed radical change in the School of Theology, I must protest against the sweeping generalisations of "Layman" and the assumptions in your summary of "News of the Week." I offer no defence of those whose feelings allowed them to forget traditional courtesy ; but the speeches were long and the theatre hot ! Nor did the interruptions come from one side ; near me were some sup- porters of the Motion whose manner also "had not that repose which stamps the caste of Vero de Vere," and one of our speakers was loudly interrupted. This is no defence, but just shows that under excitement things are said and done that do harm to a cause, and are, I am sure, deeply regretted ; nor is it fair to assume that the shouters were all the "large contingent of clergymen."
No new arguments were, or could be, advanced; opinions were sharply divided, and as every one's mind was fully made up, any- thing more than a brief speech was needless; and not a single vote was turned either way, the difference in point of view was too complete. There is no "jealousy and dislike of the Noncon- formists,' but there is a strong dread of the increasing haziness of belief and paring down of definite teaching, and that "moral monster Undenominationalism" has to be met. The term "Orthodox Dissenter" is hardly capable of definition ; nor was there any guarantee that Examiners might not be sought for even outside this nebulous term. When the Motion was first made to the Hebdomadal Council it was pleaded that there were not enough Hebrew scholars among those in priests' Orders. This plea was afterwards abandoned, and the desire for " nndenomi- nationalism" frankly expressed. It may come to this, but then Oxford will have lost its old traditions and the School of Theology changed its character. We non-residents have neither the wish nor power to "govern Oxford," but so long as we are members of Convocation we hope to do our best to save her from committing herself to what reaches farther than the technical details of an examination. We—away from the charms of Oxford social life ! —see better than those amiable residents who think "there is no difference between Orthodox Dissent' and Churchmen" what are the inevitable tendencies of this idea. We are brought in close contact with its results in the country, and know that one concession only leads to further demands little contemplated at first. The whole education question is an object-lesson in this. I, in common with others, received a cireular from each side requesting our attendance and vote. Had our votes gone in the am, Sir, &c., A NON-RESIDENT MEMBER.
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