Untitled - Electric Scotland

1849-53] ANGRY LETTER TO THE GUARDIAN 153
the School is unfounded, I beg to refer you to such books as I
have distinctly recommended in the School, e.g. to Mr. Cotton s
admirable book of Prayers and other Helps to Devotion, or to his
short work on Confirmation, or to my own writings, which last is
the most obvious source whence a clear idea of the theological
teaching of the School may be derived. . . . We who teach here
have much to lament in our own unfitness for the difficult part
assigned us in the Church : but amidst discouragements
it is a
great comfort to think of the abundant blessing which God has
given, in enabling us to be the instruments of training many
young minds in an intelligent and earnest faith. It is a comfort
to us to know how many have looked back with gratitude on their
religious training at Rugby, as having been blessed to their use
fulness and peace in life, and, I may add, in not a few instances
to their calmness in the hour of death, when all the false supports
of an artificial system must have failed them.
"Allow me, sir, to beg that you will consider the injustice you
have been guilty of, and let me, as a minister of our common
Master, remind you that slander of those who are labouring in
His Church, if persisted in, is great wickedness.
"
I need hardly say that I expect, as an act of justice, that you
\vill publish this in your next number. I have the honour to be,
Sir, your obedient, humble servant, A. C. TAIT."
To this letter The Guardian called attention in a
courteous leading article, expressing its cordial admira
tion for
"
the energy of Dr. Tait s character, his manly
straightforwardness in avowing such opinions as he de
finitely holds, his generosity, and the tone of honour and
morality which he has always endeavoured to maintain
both as College Tutor and as a Head-master of Rugby."
It proceeded, as was natural, to justify or explain to some
extent the language which had been used, urging that,
whatever Dr. Tait s own views,
"the opinions of some of his fellow-workers are of the laxest
kind. Is not Germanism (to use a common word) the avowed
admiration of some ; Carlylism of others ; Cobdenism of others ?
Is there any political or religious theory on the so-called liberal
side which might not find its supporters there? Now, this is