Shanghai, July 11.
As it stands, this is simply not even English; nor is it intelligible; is "results" in the original a noun or a verb?
You say:
"There is a general impression that the Established Church is much ioo vocal Ju matters which do not concern I do not know precisely where that "general impression" exists, but I do Venture to say that on matters of national morality the Established Church has very definitely both a right and a duty—to uphold Christian principles, "especially" (to quote from your second leaderette) "at a time like this when high morality has given place to"the most sordid of expedient." I notice, with very real regret, that you, sir, definitely prefer expediency io principles; but surely you cannot expect the Church to agree with you? If it did, it would be utterly disloyal to its Master, and deservedly would lose credit among its adherents.
On matters of principle, Dr. Temple (one of the greatest philosophers of the day) is surely qualified to writ but he and his friends surely did not say they were voicing the opinions of "the clergy of the Church of England"? He was writing on a subject of which he is an undoubted authority; if he was so bold as to criticize the Government's foreign policy, what of it? Has not Mr. Eden done likewise? If Lord Nuffield, to whom you refer, also writes to the press on matters of principles and policy, is he to be told to "stick to his Jast"? Why may not a clergyman criticize his Government as much as any other citizen? Or may only an Editor venture to do this?
You do not realize that in these days of "the most sordid of expedient" a great many people have asked what the Church has to. so I have yet to meet the clergyman who considers he has a better right to "pass judgment on political matters" than anyone else; but he ce ternly does feel called upon to uphold the principles of Christian morality, even if it is not expedient to do so, Your remarks about "slums on Church properties" merely shows that you do not in the least know what is the true situation; as to "the underpayment of clergy", that is searcely a matter for the clergy to remedy, is it? Finally, may I say that your re peated disapproval of the clergy upholding, not the political views of any particular party, but the princi ples of Christian morality, is gravel upsetting to those of us who try, however humbly and feebly, "to show forth God's praise not only with our lips but in our lives"?
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.