THE BOURNEMOUTH CASE. [To THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."]
Sia,—My bad writing did me bad service, when it made -" factitious " look like " fictitious," and got it so printed. Will you let my argument have the benefit of the correction, and with it some further explanation of my meaning ? A fictitious sore is the ailment of a malade imaginaire ; a factitious sore a very real suffering, but one which a nervous man makes or aggravates with his own fidgetting. It is the latter description which I should apply to the difference between High-Church and Low-Church, and Mr. Oakley's method I think likely to be of a frictional character, whereas a little of Lord Tenterden's " masterly inactivity" might let nature cure herself.
You naturally ask me how I should like Mr. Mackonochie as my own successor. I had also, naturally; considered the reply to such a possible question before writing, and I can say, in all sincerity, that I am so convinced of the mauy-sidedness of truth within the Church of England, and of my own ability to present but a single side of it, that I should be more content to have so good and so earnest a man succeed me, than a do-nothing of my own way of thinking. If the congregation bore the change, that would be more proof to me of a successful work done, than if they were to go away in search of congruous opinions at some other church ; and the present benefice I hold furnishes an illustra- tion in point. Some years ago, it underwent a change of ministry as violent as that which is now taking place at Bournemouth. If left alone, I believe the genius loci would have held most of the then worshippers together. The departing clergyman tried the policy of agitation only too suc- cessfully, and scattered his flock, to the defeat of all the tra- ditions of the place. In this particular matter of Bournemouth, Mr. Oakley is the most courteous of opponents, but one most difficult to wrestle with. He keeps writing, " if all the facts were known," we should agree with him. Well, either let him tell us his secrets, or, if the matter be not ripe for full discus- sion, plead guilty to writing prematurely, with a reserve of knowledge he cannot communicate.—I am, Sir, &c., St. Luke's Vicarage, Iculford Place, Ir. B. IL ALFORD. -
Previous page
