THE BISHOPS SERMON.

Press, Volume XLVIII, Issue 7863, 14 May 1891, Page 3

THE BISHOPS SERMON.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE PRESS. Sir, —Your correspondent "J." has undoubtedly written a very fluent, funny, and grammatical letter at the expense of our good Bishop. There is an olu motto, "Nβ sutor ultra crepidam." Now, I do not profess to be a master of foreign languages, out will translate the motto into fair AngloSaxon as follows :—"lt is probablo on the face of things that a professional man knows more of his profession than does a layman." A somewhat free translation, I own, but not altogether inapplicable to tho present case. "J.," whose store of Scriptural knowledge seems full to overflowing, uu'ght with advantage in hia next letter discourse " on speaking evil of dignitaries," "on submission to spiritual pastors and masters" (vide Church catechism), and on a few other cognate subjects which will readily present themselves to his soinewliat vivid ima iiiation.

If "J." adds to his wonderful store ot things Scriptural, more medical knowledge than a doctor, more knowledge of mechanics than a trained engineer, more knowledge of law than a successful solicitor, and more "cheek" than the proverbial " braai monkey," I for one shall be more than *• CONTENTED."

TO THE EDITOR 09 THI PBSSS. Sir,—The letter signed "J." in yesterday , ! Press shows that there are still some who are misled by the highly imaginative account of the Bishop's sermon which unfortunately appeared in your columne. Permit mc, sir, to give my impressions. - Though not in the nave, I could see from my seat in the choic the whole congregation, and hear, I believe, every sound above a whisper. Two or three times (not more) there was a alight murmur at some quaint home-thrust. That was all, positively aIL The vast congregation in the nave was, indeed, an inspiring sight. Their , behaviour was no less inspiring. Your anonymous correspondents need not fear a repetition of the behaviour of the people of Constantinople in the fourth century, nor need they pretend that sympathetic feeling has never found audible expression in church since then. For real irreverence we must look to the would-be facetious suggestion* of your correspondents. Anyone reading their letters, and remembering the actual behaviour of the Unionists in the Cathedral, must surely be reminded of what was once said to those " who strain out the gnat and swallow the camel."—Yours, &c., H. T. PuBCHABr