THE CHURCH HOUSE.
LTO THE EDITOR OF TEE " SPECTATOR." J
Sin,—Recently I wrote to you on another subject. That letter brought me, among other communications, one from a very influential subscriber of yours, with these kind words :— 4'1 notice you state that you seldom see that paper. Will you allow me the pleasure of rectifying this by sending you any Spectator ?"
So now, a little after date, I renew my old acquaintance with your interesting and (to me) instructive columns, and take note of the Bishop of Carlisle's letter. The mistake made all along by the too zealous and too obstinate promoters .of that most unpopular scheme was in not recognising that the country, even so far as the Church of England represents it, will not accept the Church House as the Jubilee expression of the Church's loyal congratulations. Sir William Harcourt is reported to have asked Mr. Gladstone how to spell "Jubilee," and to have added that the right way was " Jblee,' because you and I are out of it." That just expresses the fact with regard to the Church House as a Jubilee idea. It is quite 4‘ out of it."
Had the promoters of the scheme listened to the Church's real voice, and celebrated the Jubilee by some grand beneficial plan for helping poor clergy, then the whole country would have responded, and any architectural and magnificent longings might at the same time have been easily gratified by almshouses, retirement colleges, and generally manifested sympathy. But you are absolutely .accurate in stating that national coldness and ecclesiasti- cal indifference are due to the fact that the Church House has been, from its inception onward, recognised as a con- venient rallying-point for wealthy and dignified Church- men. I was presumptuous enough to print some outlines of a generally useful as distinguished from a brick-and-mortar, or a mere Metropolitan and centralising, trophy; and the letters that reached me, added to my opportunities of observation even in my own rustic and circumscribed circle, proved beyond doubt that "What's the good of it?" expressed in various ways, from strong indignation clown to contemptuous indifference, the very general feeling of distrust and distaste with which "Church House" was regarded. Was regarded, I mean, as a Jubilee idea. The idea was not at all bad as a sort of sentimental aspiration ; but it crippled generosity, and slant up willing purses and pockets in what would have been a most practical direction, without getting the diverted money for itself. And now it is becoming a mere club, to be erected for the benefit of people who live in London or can afford to visit London frequently, and pay for membership. And this was what needy curates and humble vicars were dunned to help, and invited to dun churchwardens and parishioners generally to help !
I am afraid that the promoters of this fatuous and chimeric scheme were goaded into angry insistance by the chill response or strong opposition it evoked, and said," We will have a Church House, in spite of all," as Home-rulers say, "We will have Home-rule." But I am running on, and must beg pardon.—I am, Sir, ite.,
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