THE OXFORD MOVEMENT AND OXFORD GROUP MOVEMENT.

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 20909, 17 July 1933, Page 7

THE OXFORD MOVEMENT AND OXFORD GROUP MOVEMENT.

to rm. editoe or thb ritt3» Sir,—There is so much confusion between the two movements named above that I hope you will allow me a little space in which to make the distinction between them clear. The Oxford Movement dates from 1833. The name denotes a movement of revival in the Church of England. This movement began at Oxford in 1833. Its leaders were Oxford men. The chief among them were John Keble, John Henry Newman, and Dr. Pusey. This movement has its place in history and has made its mark upon literature. The hundredth anniversary of this movement has just been observed all over England, and in practically every diocese of the Anglican Communion overseas.

I The other movement was started some 20 years ago in America. Its founder was a Lutheran minister named Buchman. Its method is to gather people together in small groups for mutual edification and encouragement. Its name, "The Group Movement," is correct and instructive. In due course, this movement reached England. Its first English group was started at Cambridge. Somehow or other its adherents have come to call it "The Oxford Group Movement." The natural inference, on hearing this title, is that either the headquarters of the movement or its place of origin is at Oxford. Actually, neither inference is correct. So the title "Oxford" is misleading. Why was it adopted? The enthusiastic writer of a certain "best-seller" on the subject seems to suggest that it was done in order to give the movement something of the prestige which attaches to the great University of Oxford. I hope this is not so, because it would' not be quite honest. Besides, it would be so rude to Cambridge! But whatever may have been the reason, the commandeering of this name has been most unfortunate. To start a new "Oxford" movement just as people were preparing to celebrate the centenary of the real Oxford Movement was a sure way of confusing people's minds, and it has had its due effect. Perhaps the climax was reached yesterday when a man who should have known better said, "The funny thing about this Oxford Movement is that it has nothing to do with Oxford at all!'* I hope your readers will be able to appreciate the humour of this.—Yours, etc.. F. N. TAYLOR. July 15, 1933.