Untitled - Electric Scotland

1860-64] CORRESPONDENCE WITH DR. TEMPLE 291
by any repetition of this. And in the present state of the public
mind it would be understood as sanctioning the popular clamour,
and that I do not suppose any other of the six writers is prepared
to do ; certainly I am not myself.
"
I cannot understand your fear that many will be influenced
names with
by the apparent combination of much respected
others less known. That argument might have had weight six
months ago. But surely now it is out of place. Surely the whole
Bench of Bishops is enough to save the many
from such influence
without calling on the six contributors to give their aid. The
danger seems to me to be quite on the other side.
"
Many years ago you urged us from the University pulpit to
undertake the critical study of the Bible. You said that it was a
dangerous study, but indispensable. You described its difficul
ties, and those who listened must have felt a confidence (as I
assuredly did, for I was there) that if they took your advice and
entered on the task, you at any rate would never join in treating
them unjustly if their study had brought with it the difficulties
you described. Such a study, so full of difficulties, imperatively
demands freedom for its condition. To tell a man to study, and
yet bid him, under heavy penalties, come to the same conclusions
with those who have not studied, is to mock him. If the con
clusions are prescribed, the study is precluded.
"
Freedom plainly implies the widest possible toleration. I
admit that toleration must have limits or the Church would fall
to pieces. But the student has a right to claim, first, that
those limits should be known beforehand, and contained in
formularies within his own reach ; not locked up in the breasts
of certain of his brethren ; secondly, that his having transgressed
them should be decided after fair, open trial by men practised
in such decisions.
"
Instead of that what do we see ? A set of men publish a
book containing the results of their study and thought, which,
rightly or wrongly, they believe to be within the limits traced out
by the formularies. Suddenly, without any warning to them that
they are on their trial, without any opportunity given for explana
tion or defence, assuredly without any proof that they have really
transgressed the limits prescribed, the whole Bench of Bishops
join in inflicting a severe censure, and in insinuating that they
are dishonest men. And so utterly reckless are their Lordships
how much or how little penalty they inflict, that the censure is