THE BISHOPS AND MR. KtINTNEDY.
!To THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."] SIR,-1.1118 controversy may be briefly summed up. To lie about the vote you have given, is evil. To give a dishonest vote, is evil. To force another to choose between the two, is evil. As to degrees, may I cite two well-known texts as bearing on the question ? Matt. rya, 6, " Whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me [or " shall cause one of these little ones who believe in me to stumble," as the Revised Version has it], it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea." Acts v., 4, "Thom bast not lied unto men, but unto God." It is clear which St. Peter thought the most of, though, rightly or wrongly, differing from the Bishop of Carlisle. It might, I think, be wished that the Bishop had reserved some of his indignation for certain brother-princes of the Church who lately have made themselves responsible for the moat awful national wickedness of modern" times, rather than anathematise an electioneering folly. Seeing the part that sentiment plays in the world, it is strange that men do not realise the tremendous push these prelates will be shown to have given to the cause of Disestablishment. We are waiting in hope that among the clergy of London there will be found yet men enough in weight and spirit (aye, and in the fear of God) to pro- test openly against their " Bishop's " circular, written with no apparent object but to keep alive what even Dr. Benson half- heartedly hoped might " drop " now. Not likely. Meanwhile, if any denomination is to be " established " amongst us, let it be the " Salvation Army " at once. It is entitled to the place. Ye cannot serve God and the mob, my Lords Spiritual—I am, Sir,
Previous page
