Untitled - Electric Scotland

1860-64] CORRESPONDENCE WITH DR. TEMPLE 301
at Fulham, to have left on your mind and on Jowett s an im
pression different from what I intended, though perhaps this
difference between us may arise from your judging differently of
the Bishops protest to what I do. Remember that the protest
was directed against the general teaching of the book, viewed
as a whole, and against certain doctrines stated in the addresses
to be extracted from it, and I do not for my life see how, when
appealed to, the Bishops could have failed to speak as they did.
Remember also that no one without can judge of the responsi
bilities under which Bishops are placed. Let me say further that
in my note-book of the 2oth January I find this entry, which
expresses my feelings at the time of your and Jowett s visits :
Jowett has been with me for two days. The unsatisfactory
part of his system seems to be that there is an obscurity over
what he believes of the centre of Christianity. As to the out
works, the conflict there is of comparatively little importance.
But the central figure of the Lord Jesus, the central doctrine of
the efficacy of His sacrifice, in fact St. Paul s Christianityis
this distinctly recognised by the writers of his school ? I have
urged both on him and Temple, who has also been with me,
that they are bound to state for their own sakes, and for the sake
of those whom they are likely to influence, what is the positive
Christianity which* %they hold. It is a poor thing to be pulling
down ; let them build up.
"
If I failed to give you the impression that such were my
in which a man in so
thoughts, I am sorry for it. The position
responsible an office as mine is placed is, you will allow, a very
difficult one, if he wishes on the one hand to retain the intimacy
of his old friendships, and on the other, in his public capacity,
to act exactly as he thinks right. I am convinced you will not,
on reflection, judge harshly of the difficulties of such a position.
One word more. I had no information of the closing words of
your address to the masters. I should add that I do not now
see that they are wise or right. And now I leave the subject,
humbly trusting and praying that you may have wisdom to do
what is right in your very trying circumstances. Ever yours,
"
A. C. LONDON."
While this private correspondence was going on, the
whole subject had been formally debated in the Convoca-