BRIDGES FOR CHRISTIANS
[To the Editor of THE SPECTATOR.] • SIR,—The Archbishop of York, speaking recently in Edinburgh in connexion with the Conference on Faith and Order, quoted Dr. Garvie, who had compared the repeated, lengthy con- ferences purporting to lead towards reunion of the Churches, to the prolonged and elaborate calculations of a city's engineering staff in preparation for building a bridge across a river,, for which the public waited long and eagerly. `.` Get on with the bridge," said the public. " What do we want with elaborate mathematical calculations ? " But, without the elaborate calculations, the bridge would fall.
May one not say, however, that there is no need fcr waiting
for the bridge at all ? The river that divides is neither deep nor dangerous. If your Master prompts you to do it, take off your stockings and shoes and wade across. Experto creole. I happened to be in charge for six months of a considerable Presbyterian congregation in a small Scottish town. The chapel of the Scottish Episcopal Church was not far from the manse,and I began my Sunday work by attending Early Communion at this chapel. The worthy incumbent sought me out and said that he had observed me ioining with them from a back seat : he said that, while he could not order me to come forward with the other communicants to the altar rail, he would be personally very glad if I did so. From that time I added physical participation. Other people of whom I have known have had similar experiences. Delightful
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