Untitled - Electric Scotland

128 LIFE OF ARCHBISHOP TAIT [en. v.
by them." Evangelicals, Anglo-Catholics,
Churchmen l
and Broad
would, he maintained, be alike placed in a
difficulty were the new form of subscription
carried. It
would operate to the exclusion of the best, because the
most conscientious, men. Extreme cases like Mr. Ward s
may
occur from time to time.
"
Liberty may degenerate
into licence, and in his case it has done so. ... He has
received his commission as an authorised teacher on con
dition of his renouncing Romish error. But let the
University
deal with each of such cases as it arises.
There is no need of our narrowing the limits of the
Church of England because some amongst
make it too wide."
us wish to
This pamphlet, which had an immediate and wide
circulation, was a disappointment to the friends who had
reckoned too hastily on Tait s partisanship in their at
tack. Mr. Golightly, for example, his old fellow-worker
at Baldon, wrote in much wrath :-
"
Your pamphlet has caused extreme concern here to many
whose opinions you value. Pray, for the sake of Rugby, the
interests of which it may really injure, let me entreat you
draw it immediately. I cannot tell you how grieved I am. .
to with
. .
You were not called upon to come forward, nor justified in
advising the Heads of Houses. Cramer and the Vice-Chancellor
have expressed themselves strongly against your pamphlet. Let
me again beseech you to withdraw it."
Mr. Lake, on the other hand wrote :-
"
I think you have acted most rightly and consistently, and
although I hear that our Oxford friends attack the tone of your
arguments, I really do not see under the circumstances, and in
your position, what other you could . . . adopt. The Heads are
one and all furious at your advice, My dear Mr. Vice-Chancellor
one of the most so. You have, indeed, most prudent of men,
put your foot into it. I would not be you at your
next visit."
1 He does not use the word, indeed it had hardly yet been coined, but
he describes them at some length.