7 OCTOBER 1938, Page 22

MIRACLES AND THE CATHOLIC CHURCH

[To the Editor of THE SPECTATOR] Snt,—Mr. Gerald Wynne Rushton's letter on Miracles and the Catholic Church reminds me of a maxim which Dean Swift attributes to Lady Halifax : "If rudeness be the effect of knowledge My son shall never go to College"

and I think Mr. Rushton's hysterical protest will act as a deterrent to anyone inclined to slip or slide Romewards- I would commend to him the Horatian verse : "Ridentem dicere veruin quid vetat ? "

Can't " the gloomy Dean " make a joke without being called a liar ? True or false or " bogus " what can miracles prove except_ the faith or love of the person benefited? " Thy frith hath saved thee " implies as much. Why does Mi. Rushton assume enmity to Our Lady and the Church in one who doubts or denies the miracles of Lourdes ? The Church was not founded on miracles nor have I heard that Our Lady—in her natural life—ever visited Lourdes.—Yours, The Vicarage, Lanlivery, Cornwall. W. E. WYNNE.