BISHOP BARNES AND MR. MARSHALL
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.]
SIR,—May I venture to ask Mr. C. B. Marshall three questions ?
(1) Is he aware that before it was known publicly that Canon Barnes had been appointed to the bishopric of Bir- mingham the Church Times published a paragraph headed " An Astounding Rumour," in which it attacked Canon Barnes bitterly ?
(2) Mr. Marshall writes that " it is not exactly courteous " to describe certain eucharistic doctrines as " pagan and magical." Is not the right question to ask in such a case whether it is true so to describe them ?
(3) If Bishop Barnes believed certain popular doctrines to be pagan and magical, ought he not as a Bishop to condemn them publicly ?
" Are you ready with all faithful diligence to banish and drive away all erroneous and strange doctrine contrary to God's Word ? "
" I am ready, the Lord being my helper."
(Service for the Consecration of Bishops.) Ripon Hall, Oxford.