Untitled - Electric Scotland

1863-68] THE SPEAKER S COMMENTARY 527
those passages will be occurring all through the Old Testament.
What I think indispensable is that the questions thus raised
be dealt with in a calm, candid spirit, and that any rash state
ments which are made in accordance with an unthinking public
opinion, but are sure to alienate and shock the very persons who
most need our instruction and guidance shall be reviewed and
restrained.
" You have been very fortunate in securing the zealous
co-operation of the Archbishop of York and Mr. Cook, but
neither they nor any other two men, even assisted by such able
coadjutors as Drs. Jacobson and Jeremie, can, in the present
state of the Church, command such confidence as this work
ought to secure if it is to fulfil the end you desire. This confi
dence will be largely conciliated by the other names on the
Committee, but I think it would at once cease to be given if it
were thought that those names are simply ornamental. Believe
me to be, my dear Mr. Speaker, yours very truly,
"
A. C. LONDON.
It is not necessary to recount all that followed upon
this letter. In deference to the earnest request of the
Speaker, Bishop
Tait abandoned his intention of with
drawing his name from the Committee, but he gave strong
expression, in his Diary and elsewhere, to an opinion that
a great opportunity had been missed, and that a more
courageous course on the part of the Editors would have
been justified by the ultimate result.
Little as the Bishop usually concerned himself in the
precise details of a ceremonial or procession, he was a stiff
upholder of the rights of his office in such matters. It fell
to him afterwards, as Archbishop, to settle more than one
doubtful point as to his official privilege, 1 and such ques
tions arose occasionally with regard to the Bishop of
London. When Archbishop Longley, on December 12,
1862, was enthroned in Canterbury Cathedral as Primate,
Bishop Tait insisted, with a pertinacity which both surprised
1 See e.g. vol. ii. p. 287.