Untitled - Electric Scotland

4i2 LIFE OF ARCHBISHOP TAIT [CH. xv.
failure : this evil, be it what it may, exists unchecked, the dis
quietude in the public mind is increasing, and the contentions
also, I am sorry to say, are increasing, and the question now
arises whether anything further can be done by us to bring
matters to a better state. . . . Now, for my own part, I think I
may say that I have always endeavoured to act in a large and
kindly spirit towards those who are advocates of these practices.
I desire that my own conscience shall be respected, and I desire
also that the consciences of others shall be respected, and whether
in matters of doctrine, or in allowable matters of practice, I think
that within due limits in the National Church we ought, as com
pletely as we possibly can, to act upon that principle. I certainly
have had very kindly intercourse during the time of my Episco
pate with persons of almost every shade of opinion in my diocese,
and I believe that if any blame is to be attached to me in these
matters, it is rather the blame of having allowed people
to act for
themselves than of having interfered where I might have been
expected to interfere, to restrain and curb their liberty. . . .
It may be the case that certain of the points in dispute can be
settled without fresh legislation it may be the case that the
courts of justice may settle some of these questions. I shall
be very glad if they are so settled, provided they are settled
speedily ; but I do not think we should allow a long
time to
pass now while these matters are the sport of the advocates in
various courts ; and my experience of the ecclesiastical courts
is that, with many virtues, they do not possess the virtue of
speed. . . . Whatever is the mode which is adopted,
I think
we cannot be wrong in saying there ought to be some easy
and inexpensive process whereby the evils of unrestrained
licence in such matters may be checked. The only other point
on which I ought to say a word is, Do you really think that
your declaration will have any
effect ? I think it will. ... If
it be said that after all there is no binding power in these
resolutions, I am afraid we must allow that that is a condition
under which a Synod such as this exists. We cannot bind people
by laws made by ourselves, but we can express our opinion in
condemnation of these practices, and express our earnest hope
that the ambiguity which betrays our brethren into these excesses
may be removed. We are bound to do this for the sake of our
brethren, and for the sake of the law of this country, and the
authorities in ecclesiastical matters are to blame in allowing that