Sir: Mr Ludovic Kennedy (9 May) must surely have been
unfortunate in never having heard the passage he quotes (Matthew ii. 1-8) read correctly. In the four parishes (Church of Eng- land and Church of Ireland) in which I have regularly worshipped, I have never beard it read incorrectly.
I think I may be a year or two older than Mr Kennedy, but at no time during my life tave parsons had a captive audience. More- over, the various people who in my schooldays taught the subject variously known as religious knowledge, divinity, or scripture, not only pointed out the significance of the passage, but also gave the reference to Micah v 2. In the schools which my children now attend, and where they are, at present, a captive audience, the same information is given.
Communication, of course, requires two people, and it may be that some clergymen think that the passage, and its background, are so well known that they need not emphasise it; if so, it is a pity. But was Mr Kennedy never curious enough, in his youth, to look up the reference to the prophet for himself? Joy Bath Hill House, Firbank Lane, Woking, Surrey
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