23 OCTOBER 1936, Page 21

• THE FREE CHURCHES

[To the Editor of THE SPECTATOR.] SIR,—May I be permitted to reply to Mr. Auty's letter as I fear that he has not perused the Coronation Service very carefully? Apart from the Communion the Service appears to consist of the presentation of the King to the people by the Primate, the anointing of His Majesty with Holy Oil, the vesting of His Majesty with the regal vestments and finally the actual Coronation, all accompanied by the appro- priate prayers and benedictions. There also may be a short sermon which according to precedent would be preached by one of the Archbishops.

• Could English Nonconformist ministers or ministers of the Scottish Established Church conscientiously officiate at such a service which to them would be full of error and superstition—or is conscience to be laid aside on national occasions ? The question of Establishment which Mr. Auty raises would appear to have no bearing on the matter. If for any reason His Majesty were crowned separately in Edinburgh as King of Scotland would not the rites of the Non-established Episcopal Church of Scotland be used ?- such rites, of course, being similar to those which will be used in Westminster Abbey.—Yours faithfully,

13 Kings Hall Road, Beckenham, Kent. G. W. R. THOMSON.