(To THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR.)
SLR,—As a Nonconformist minister, who has been for some years in the habit of reading the Spectator, I am delighted to find an article on the " Horton " case without your usual covert sneer at Dissenters. You seem, this week, unusually benevolent, all round. You certainly have cast the shield of that "charity which thiuketh no evil" over the country parsons, who rushed in such great numbers to veto Mr. Horton's appointment. I should be glad to agree with you, that " intolerance " had little to do with the matter. But the principal arguments used by Mr. Horton's opponents forbid, I think, such a conclusion. It is evident, from the entire tone of the controversy, that the victory in Convocation was largely an anti-Dissenters' triumph. When once it was known that Convocation would have to
decide the matter, the result was known beforehand. The event has proved that Convocation still remains true to the illiberal traditions which drove from Oxford the finest statesman of this century.
The fear that Mr. Horton's appointment would pave the way for an agnostic examiner is both childish and unjust. When an agnostic examiner is nominated, then let Convocation reject him. But why should Mr. Horton, who declares that, in the main, he accepts the Thirty-nine Articles, suffer for the sins of a hypothetical successor ? I heartily endorse your decision,— the religious examination for a Pass Degree ought to be abolished. When a theological examination has lost its true character, and is regarded with more or less open contempt by those who sub- mit to it, even Anglicans must surely see that it ought to be [We are entirely unconscious of ever sneering at Dissenters, and of covert sneers at anybody whatever, we are absolutely guiltless.—En. Spectator].
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