ble to us, to
meet that onset of liberal principles, of which we were all in
immediate anticipation, whether in the Church or in the University.
And during the first year of the Tracts, the attack upon the
University began. In November 1834 was sent to me by the author the
second edition of a pamphlet entitled, "Observations on Religious
Dissent, with particular reference to the use of religious tests in
the University." In this pamphlet it was maintained, that "Religion
is distinct from Theological Opinion" (pp. 1, 28, 30, etc.); that it
is but a common prejudice to identify theological propositions
methodically deduced and stated, with the simple religion of Christ
(p. 1); that under Theological Opinion were to be placed the
Trinitarian doctrine (p. 27), and the Unitarian (p. 19); that a dogma
was a theological opinion insisted on (pp. 20, 21); that speculation
always left an opening for improvement (p. 22); that the Church of
England was not dogmatic in its spirit, though the wording of its
formularies may often carry the sound of dogmatism (p. 23).

I acknowledged the receipt of this work in the following letter:--

"The kindness which has led to your presenting me with your late
pamphlet, encourages me to hope that you will forgive me, if I take
the opportunity it affords of expressing to you my very sincere and
deep regret that it has been published. Such an opportunity I could
not let slip without being unfaithful to my own serious thoughts on
the subject.

"While I respect the tone of piety which the pamphlet displays, I
dare not trust myself to put on paper my feelings about the
principles contained in it; tending, as they do, in my opinion,
altogether to make shipwreck of Christian faith. I also lament, that,
by its appearance, the first step has been taken towards interrupting
that peace and mutual good understanding which has prevailed so long
in this place, and which, if once seriously disturbed, will be
succeeded by dissensions the more intractable, because justified in
the minds of those who resist innovation by a feeling of imperative
duty."

Since that time Phaeton has got into the chariot of the sun; we,
alas! can only look on, and watch him down the steep of heaven.
Meanwhile, the lands, which he is passing over, suffer from his
driving.

Such was the commencement of the assault of liberalism upon the old
orthodoxy of Oxford and England; and it could not have been broken,
as it was, for so l