"OUR BETTERS."
[To THE EDITOR or ring "SructirrOR.1
seems strange that English Nonconformists should have such an objection to the word " betters " in the Church
of England Catechism, while we hear little or nothing about " superiors " as used in the Presbyterian Catechism. On comparing the two, one would think that sticklers for equality would object more to the latter than the former. The answer to Question 64 in the Shorter Catechism is :— "The fifth commandment requireth the preserving the honour, and performing the duties, belonging to every one in their several places and relations, as superiors, inferiors, or equals."
Turning to the Larger Catechism, we find the same idea ex- panded in the answers to Questions 124 to 132. The answer to 127 is :—
" The honour which inferiors owe to their superiors is, all due reverence in heart, word, and behaviour ; prayer and thanksgiving for them ; imitation of their virtues and graces; willing obedience to their lawful commands and counsels ; due submission to their corrections ; fidelity to, defence and maintenance of their persons and authority, according to their several ranks, and the nature of their places ; bearing with their infirmities, and covering them in love, that so they may be an honour to them and to their government."
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