Here, then, so far as what may be called religious doctrine is concerned, is merely a personal solution.  We are in an age when the truth is being worked out through many minds, a process which seems to me both Christian and Democratic.  Yet a gentleman has so far misunderstood this that he has already accused me, in a newspaper, of committing all the heresies condemned by the Council of Chalcedon,—­and more!

I have no doubt that he is right.  My consolation must be that I have as company—­in some of my heresies, at least—­a goodly array of gentlemen who wear the cloth of the orthodox churches whose doctrines he accuses me of denying.  The published writings of these clergymen are accessible to all.  The same critic declares that my interpretations are without “authority.”  This depends, of course; on one’s view of “authority.”  But his accusation is true equally against many men who—­if my observation be correct—­are doing an incalculable service for religion by giving to the world their own personal solutions, interpreting Christianity in terms of modern thought.  No doubt these, too, are offending the champions of the Council of Chalcedon.

And does the gentleman, may I ask, ever read the pages of the Hibbert Journal?

Finally, I have to meet a more serious charge, that Mr. Hodder remains in the Church because of “the dread of parting with the old, strong anchorage, the fear of anathema and criticism, the thought of sorrowing and disapproving friends.”  Or perhaps he infers that it is I who keep Mr. Hodder in the Church for these personal reasons.  Alas, the concern of society is now for those upon whom the Church has lost her hold, who are seeking for a solution they can accept.  And the danger to-day is not from the side of heresy.  The rector of St. John’s, as a result of his struggle, gained what I believe to be a higher and surer faith than that which he formerly held, and in addition to this the realization of the presence of a condition which was paralyzing the Church’s influence.

One thing I had hoped to make clear, that if Mr. Hodder had left the Church under these circumstances he would have made the Great Refusal.  The situation which he faced demanded something of the sublime courage of his Master.

Lastly, may I be permitted to add that it is far from my intention to reflect upon any particular denomination.  The instance which I have taken is perhaps a pronounced rather than a particular case of the problem to which I have referred, and which is causing the gravest concern to thoughtful clergymen and laymen of all denominations.

WINSTON CHURCHILL

Santa Barbara, California
March 31,1913.