I desire to say what follows, in all earnestness, to my fellow-countrymen who have been, through God’s goodness, baptized into the Church of England.  I shall be thankful, also, if others will patiently consider what is here set down. There can be no question that, in old times, God was pleased to set up a visible token, whereby the world might be convinced of His power and love.  And this token was also a witness to God’s Truth.  No one doubts that the Jewish Church and nation were the witnesse

While these pages are passing through the press, the Government has yielded the point at issue.  It has yielded, against its own convictions.  It has yielded to pressure,—and to pressure from those whom it considers wrong-headed, and unreasonable, and unjust. The Government believed and declared that it was fair, and right, and just, and necessary “for legislative purposes,” that the people of England should confess the religious profession which they make—each man his own.  The Government still