Untitled - Electric Scotland

286 LIFE OF ARCHBISHOP TAIT [CH. xn.
Canon A. P. Stanley to tJie Bishop of London.
"
CH. CH., OXFORD, Feb. 19, 1861.
"MY DEAR BISHOP,- -Thanks for your letter. The typo
graphical correction makes grammar,
where before there was
none, but unfortunately makes the sense (at least till the
world is allowed to see the specification of the opinions thus
denounced) worse than before.
"
I had hoped that you would have been able to remove the
contradiction between your acquittal of three of the Essayists to
me in private and the sweeping censure of them in public. I am
deeply grieved for your sake that this contradiction should remain.
"
I cannot understand any popular panic justifying such a
course. Of course I am quite aware that Bishops have the
opportunity of hearing what docs not reach the ears of ordinary
persons. But ordinary persons hear much which does not reach
the ears of Bishops, and I have unfortunately the means of know
ing quite enough to assure me that, unless this call upon such
men as Temple, Jowett, and Pattison to leave the Church of
England turn out a mere brutum fulnien, which I trust in Heaven
that it may be, you could not have adopted a measure more
calculated to injure the cause of Christianity or of the Church
in this country.
"
With regard to what passed between you and myself about
the Episcopal meeting, as it only concerns my own course in
the matter, I need say no more of it. Of your general opinion
of the book, I shall, however, consider myself free to speak, on
all fitting occasions. Indeed it must be sufficiently apparent
from what is known of your own views on these matters.
"
I am sure that you will agree with me, that k
until this
tyranny is overpast, we had better have no more communication
on this subject, at least none of a confidential nature. It can
only lead to misunderstandings.
"
It would have been far better that, under the circumstances,
you had not invited me to Fulham on that occasion.
"
I do not doubt that you acted with reluctance and with kind
intentions. I have every hope that the catastrophe, which the
Episcopal letter endeavours to precipitate, may, by God s help
and man s courage, be averted. Yours ever,
"A. P. STANLEV.