FAIR DEAL FOR THE CLERGY
SIR,—I did not wish to depreciate the great leaders of the past and I would agree with Mr. Lilley that the good man will make his mark. Have not London men like Drs. W. R. Matthews, 0. Hardman, H. M. Relton, and Mr. Bryan Green done so already? But only one of these has been given adequate recogni- tion.
The real point is that the Church of England would have gained greatly if the abilities of such men had been given wider scope.
In the second half of the nineteenth century Oxford developed an ascendancy over Cambridge (who up . to that time had shared equally in Anglican leader- ship), and Oxford has since maintained well over twenty (and sometimes nearer thirty) diocesans on the Episcopal Bench.
Can it be argued seriously that the perpetuation of this Oxonian domination would be a good thing for the Church of England in view of the contribution of Cambridge, London, and many other universities?
As regards the parish, 'pluralities' do not break up the parochial organisation, and are a better solution for tiny parishes than 'united' benefices. But, as one who has been Vicar of three parishes held in plural- ity, I do not regard this as ideal.—Yours faithfully,
VICTOR H. BEATON
Rougham Rectory, Bury St. Edmunds
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