Is there any sufficient reason why the leaders of religious thought belonging to other denominations should not be invited sometimes to speak in the pulpits of the National Church?  They would not use the occasion for attacking Episcopacy.  Conversely it might be a wholesome thing if a Bishop or other well-known Episcopalian clergyman occasionally spoke to the great congregations in such familiar London meeting-places as the Newington Tabernacle or the City Temple.  They might be trusted not to choose Apostolic Succession as their subject.  Joint religious services have already been held, and the practice might be extended.  The Bishop of London has been seen in Hyde Park on the platform with representative men from the Wesleyans, Independents (it is pleasanter to use the old name rather than “Congregationalist,” which may be correct, but is hideous), and Presbyterians, with a band from the Salvation Army in attendance.  Such things do good, and are the best reply to the orators by the Reformers’ Tree, whose most effective weapon is to sneer—­not unnaturally—­at the enmity amongst Christians.  A “church” parade for the Volunteers has in a village been held in the Baptist chapel, and many who had never entered a Nonconformist place of worship before, felt how real “unity of spirit” did exist.

Another fruitful opportunity for joint work is in the realm of study and of theological education.  This object would be promoted by the establishment in our Universities of theological faculties where a part—­it may be a large part but not the whole—­of the training of those who intend to enter the ministry or for other reasons to devote themselves to theological study may be carried on.  Such a faculty has been instituted with marked success in Manchester.  No test is imposed except tests of knowledge, but the faculty has been said to be the most harmonious in the University.  Whatever body he belongs to, whatever Church he wishes to serve, the student could not fail to gain profit from studying the language of the New Testament under a scholar like the late Professor Moulton, and would never find anything that—­to use the words of the founder of the University—­“could be reasonably offensive to the conscience of any student.”  Already the effect of such a faculty in advancing theological study and still more in uniting members of different communions in the pursuit of truth has been most marked.

There is one point, however, in considering the influence of religion on Reconstruction which must be borne in mind.  Untold harm has been done in the past by the intrusion of the lawgiver or the judge into the domain of religion, and, on the other hand, by the intrusion of the minister of religion into the domain of the legislator or the magistrate.  It is essential that in dealing with any question of legislation or political action the clergy and ministers of all denominations, if they take part at all, should speak as citizens, and not professionally.  They,