th, describing him as "imbued with the indwelling
of God; only one fault--he is hard on the Roman Catholics." The last
phrase gives a good insight into the working of Gordon's mind. Romish
Catholicism, as a religious system, was about as opposed as anything
could be to his own views, which were all in favour of comprehensiveness,
and a large display of individuality. But though he had no sympathy
with the narrow exclusiveness of that ecclesiastical survival of the
dark middle ages--the Roman system--he had the greatest sympathy with
earnest individuals, who in spite of their system possessed the Spirit
of Christ. He had many sincere friends who were members of the Church
of Rome, and he used to remark that some of them set a noble example of
devotion to many Protestants, who did not act up to their own
principles. Writing on the 5th January 1878, he says:--

"Why does the Romish Church thrive with so many errors in it? It is
because of those godly men in her who live Christ's life, and who,
like as Zoar was spared for Lot's sake, bring a blessing on the
whole community. For self-devotion, for self-denial, the Roman
Catholic Church is in advance of our present-day Protestantism.
What is it if you know the sound truths and do not act up to them?
Actions speak loudly and are read of all; words are as the breath
of man."

But in spite of his large-hearted toleration he had no hesitation in
speaking out against the tendency of Romanism which unduly exaggerates
the position of the priests, and puts the laity into a subservient
position with regard to them. Writing from Khartoum with regard to the
Abyssinians, he says:--

"The excommunication of the priests is the great weapon--it is
terrible; far worse than, or quite as bad as, that of the
Inquisition. It amuses me to hear the Catholic priests here
[Khartoum] complain of it, and say that the priests want to keep
the people ignorant, so as to rule them. Is it not what _they_
would do elsewhere, if they could?"

It may be supposed by some that General Gordon was a member of what is
known as the Evangelical party in the Church of England, but though he
held perhaps more in common with that party than with any other, it
would be inaccurate to say that he belonged to it. Religious party
views are always rather difficult to describe, and it will be found
that in every party there are some whose minds do not run on partisan