THE BISHOP & THE SOCIALIST

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1287, 16 November 1911, Page 9

THE BISHOP & THE SOCIALIST

AN INTERESTING CONVERSATION. Speaking at the recent Anglican Church Congress at Stoke (England), the Bishop of Worcester remarked: Not long ago I had an interesting conversation wita a well-known Socialist, whom I had known in my Southward days, and who asked me where I. was now living. Somewhat shyly, I replied that I was afraid I should not meet with his favour, for 1 lived in llartlebury Castle. To my surprise ho laughed, and said that this was the cry of ton years ago, and that although somo unoriginal souls were still crying it, it was up to date. I give the conversation, not in his exact words, but as I remember them. "Wo Socialists," he said, "believe that individual selfishness or magnificence is a crime, but corporate life must have power of expression; and just as that expression involves an accessible head, .so that head must be able to do certain things in the name of the corporate body, and must therefore havo suitable surroundings of a house nnd income wherewith to do it. Therefore, without committing ourselves to any statement that tho Church is a necessity, or even desirable, we have no doubt that, if there be a corporation called a Church, it should havo not only areas of suitable size, but each area should have a head, and that head should be in a position to present and express corporate fife." I replied, "Then to take civic life in London, you would have a. dignified and well-housed Chairman of County Council?" "Yes; how could we express ourselves without it?" "And to take national life, you would need a Buckingham Palace." "Y<'S; we do not commit ourselves to an hereditary monarchy, but our elected head would require Buckingham Palace." Then I said, "You see nothing aristocratic in a Bishop, who is not hereditary, occupying llartlebury Castlo with a sufficient income?" "No, if .tho income and the house aro used for the benefit and setting forth of the corporation which they represent; but they would be indefensible if they are used for the mere enjoyment of tho Bishop."