Bishop Asked to Apologise
AUTHORESS IS ANGRY
LONDON. Marjorie Bowen, famous English authoress, was almost in tears when she talked to a reporter of the Bishop of Chelmsford’s attack on her new book, “Wrestling Jacob 77 —rthe life-story of John Wesley. She is going to demand an apology. *T have not swung towards a low moral level,” she said. “I think it is wicked and cruel to make unjust accusations of this nature.” In his diocesan gazette the Bishop, Dr. Henry Wilson, attacked the so-call-ed “new morality, 77 which he said was most truly described as the “old immorality. 77 He claimed it was challenging the Christian ideals of personal purity and marital sanctity.
“A talented novelist has written a book which disparages the work of John Wesley and declares that he did at least as much harm as good,” he added. “I believe these works of art and literature, which I often think have been perpetrated with tongue in cheek, are the products of a debased standard of values, and indicative of a definite swing towards a low moral level.” Miss Bowen could scarcely speak for agitation as she denied this. “I can’t believe the Bishop has read my book, 77 she said. “He could not possibly say such things if he had. To accuse me of writing with my tongue in my cheek is wicked. *‘l spent hours and hours on research work on the life of Wesley. I made no attempt to disparage bis work. I simply told the truth. “I protest against such unfair criticism.
“I am writing to the Bishop to tell bim wbat I think of him. None of my bdoks gives him any justification for what he has said—least of all “Wrestling Jacob. 77 “If I could treat it as a joke I would like to—but his accusations are too serious to be laughed at.”
Miss Bowen’s husband—Mr Arthur Long—interrupted to tell how furious he is at the Bishop’s attack. “There is no justification for it, 77 he said. ”1 cannot understand an intelligent man misinterpreting my wife’s book in such a way. 7 *
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/MT19380216.2.78
Bibliographic details
Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 39, 16 February 1938, Page 6
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351Bishop Asked to Apologise AUTHORESS IS ANGRY Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 39, 16 February 1938, Page 6
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