“THE CRISIS IN THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND"

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 123, 22 February 1928, Page 13

“THE CRISIS IN THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND"

Sir, —May I express a few words of appreciation for the simple, heartfelt letter, which fell like oil on troubled waters amidst the present upheaval and chaos, from your correspondent, “An Old Lady”? Hers are the views which would make the world a better, purer, and happier place: If only our clergy would take the same views instead of wrangling overt creeds and rituals, etc (which really do nothing but cause much bitterness), and endeavour to point out to the youth of the land ths neauty of Nature, the Love of God, and the simple truths taught by His Son, maybe we, the generation of to-day, would have a chance when age creeps on us and the Silent Reaper takes his toll, of meeting our Creator in the same quiet, peaceful spirit as “An Old Lady.”—l am, etc., YOUTH. Carterton, .February 17.

Sir, —Permit me a final word so far as “A.C.” is concerned. Our sense ot values, and the just apportionment of blame to the disturbing elements in the Tlhurch at the present juncture, differ fundamentally. To prolong this discussion with him would therefore be idle. On the one band “A.C.” stresses an ill-informed people; on the other, I condemn a retrograde priesthood. Nowhere in my letters has ‘‘my learned friend” been charged with ignorance: of misrepresentation (intentional or through oversight) he certainly was indicted.

A son of a Homeland manse, my survey covers over seventy years’ experience of the Anglican fold. I should not gather that “A.C.’s” exposition is based upon lengthier observations or opportunity. Before leaving the field open to the honourable gentleman Io make such use of as he cun, I wish to clear up one or two points. The result of a self-imposed task has convinced him that 15 per cent. ’of your readers really benefited by his earlier discourse. Strange to say, that Is 10 per cent, less than my own estiontte! It were surely farcical Ivr “LXK” to conduct n like experiment. 111-equipped as he is. on “A.C.’s” own showing, in malters catholic. In bidding adieu to rav present correspondent I. also, pat forward a suggesfion. It is not the manner of university men fo stigmatise as “ridiculous cant” the considered opinion of a doctor of literature, be the same aptly or inaptly applied. The query appended fo “20th I'entury Cleric” might well have informed my critic that he was not wholly taken at his face value.—l am, etc.. LXX. February 17. P.S. —It is inadvisable to. enter the lists of a public journal without having at hand, as one writes, all previous