Anglican Church a time-honoured Institution of noble historical memories, a monument of ancient wisdom, a momentous arm of political strength, a great national organ, a source of vast popular advantage, and, to a certain point, a witness and teacher of religious truths. I do not think that, if what I have written about it since I have been a Catholic be equitably considered as a whole, I shall be found to have taken any other view than this."
You know that recently the Pope has decided against the validity of Anglican Orders. It is curious to read a passage of Newman's in the light of this decision. [1]"As to its possession (i.e., the English Church) of an Episcopal succession from the time of the Apostles," he says, "Well! it may have it, and, if the Holy See even so decide, I will believe it, as being the decision of a higher judgment than my own; but, for myself, I must have S. Philip's gift, who saw the sacerdotal character on the forehead of a gaily attired youngster, before I can by my own will acquiesce in it, for antiquarian arguments are altogether unequal to the urgency of visible facts."
We may perhaps point to another cause why Newman went over to Rome. The early efforts of the Tractarians were devoted to reviving the doctrines of the Church of England. They wished to show that our Church possessed, and that it taught in the past, Catholic doctrines. But they gave no attention whatever to ritual. At least they did not advocate its usefulness though they saw its importance. The time was not ripe enough for that. Their aim rather was to teach doctrine first, and then, when a chance offered itself, to advocate
- ↑ Ibid, p.341.
