l this, however,
not to form the groundwork of a conclusion, but only in
illustration of a general maxim which is applicable to political
questions.

But next, this surely is a political question. Were we asked to
surrender an article of the creed in order to save the rest, or to
consent to the abolition of the episcopal order, these things
touch the faith of Christians and the life of the church, and
cannot in any measure become the subject of compromise. But the
external possessions of the church were given it for the more
effectual promotion of its work, and may be lessened or abandoned
with a view to the same end.... Now we have lived into a time when
the great danger of the church is the sale of her faith for
gold.... In demanding the money of dissenters for the worship of
the church, we practically invest them with a title to demand that
she should be adapted to their use in return, and we stimulate
every kind of interference with her belief and discipline to that
end. By judiciously waiving an undoubted legal claim, we not only
do an act which the understood principles of modern liberty tend
to favour and almost require, but we soothe ruffled minds and
tempers, and what is more, we strengthen the case and claim of the
church to be respected as a religious body.... I am convinced that
the only hope of making it possible for her to discharge her high
office as stewardess of divine truth, is to deal tenderly and
gently with all the points at which her external privileges
_grate_ upon the feelings and interests of that unhappily large
portion of the community who have almost ceased in any sense to
care for her. This is a principle of broad application, broader
far than the mere question of church rates. It is one not
requiring precipitate or violent action, or the disturbance
prematurely of anything established; but it supplies a rule of the
first importance for dealing with the mixed questions of temporal
and religious interest when they arise. I am very anxious to see
it quietly but firmly rooted in your mind. It is connected with
the dearest interests not only of my public life, but as I believe
of our religion.... I am in no way anxious that you should take my
opinions in politics as a model for your own. Your free
concurrence will be a lively pleasure to me. But abo