Untitled - Electric Scotland

.861-66] lilSHOP TA1T IN CONVOCATION 345
in these matters. Now I would wish to speak, of course, with
the deepest respect of this body, the Convocation at this moment
assembled. Yet it is a simple fact that it does not command (so
much, perhaps, as we might desire at all events, as many of our
body desire) the unhesitating respect of the whole of the Church.
. . . I do not apprehend that its decisions on this question
would carry so much weight as the calm decision, whatever it
might be, of the united Bishops of the Church. Now, on the
former occasion - - the publication of Essays and Reviewsthough
we were unable to take part in the discussion, 1 a com
mittee of the Lower House was nevertheless appointed ; and of
this I am perfectly certain, that the publication of the book or
report, or whatever it was which originated from that committee,
was more calculated to damage the Church than any publication
I have seen for a long time. It appeared to me to bring to
gether in one short compendium all the objectionable statements
of the book it condemned, and then, side by side with them, to
put a number of the most meagre answers that could possibly
be conceived. Of course, if that document has received the
approval of the Lower House, it must be treated with the great
est possible respect ; but it was not treated with respect by the
country, and the impression was that that document was any
thing
but favourable to the cause it was intended to advance.
. . . Bearing in mind that the country does expect us the
Bishops - - to guide it in this difficult matter, ... I think it
may be right for the heads of the Church, as they did by
their answer to an address in the case of Essays and Reviews,
temperately and quietly to intimate that they are alive to
the great dangers which the book may cause. But on the
other hand, being anxious to discourage all unnecessary excite
ment, all rash treatment of the questions at issue, and above-
all, any petty and vexatious annoyance of the author of the
book, which can only result in justly enlisting the sympathies
of the country on his side ; deprecating the slightest appearance
of persecution, and still more of injustice--! think in this case,
as I thought in the case of Essays and Reviews, that the ap
pointment of such a committee as is demanded would be unwise,
and do more harm than good. I wish to express an anxious
be so done as
hope and expectation that whatever is done may
to tend to allay the natural anxiety of the country that we
1
See above, p. 319.