of phenomena. Those things which are absolutely worth knowing come in the next stage after convictions of sin. It is gazing deep down in the character and work of Christ, which will first begin to make the "Subject" of our thoughts grow. For it is not only knowledge of the "Subject" which we want, we want also to enter on a system, by which the "Subject" will become greater and more divine. And nothing but Faith in Christ has this effect-and when once it begins to operate, then we may almost give up the analysis; for just to bring the results of it, our self-knowledge, our self-despair, and our aspirations to Him, and simply beg Him to give us a notion of what we are to do with ourselves, strength to work it out as far as we see, and appetite for more, is the exercise called "Worship,"-a real approach to a real reception, of what we can't produce by thinking, or grasp with intellectual power-a spiritual fact, which the spirit alone can realise-that spirit of ours which often is so merely dormant, while all else is in activity. Ah! I labour in wretched words-too dry for you to read-but true if only I could beat my music out. We must utterly try to give our children some idea of the Love of God, while they get on so well in the knowledge of God's ways-the two must go on together.

I am afraid this is all awkward-but it is a true endeavour to express how earnestly I will carry out your wishes. And you for me? The Persons of God the Father-the Son-the Holy Ghost-the aweful Trinity in Unity-This is what we must both know and love-Then we have hope for ever.

With all love and prayer,

Your most affectionate husband,
E. W. B.

I send you my letter such as it is. It does not half express my meaning or my love, but I can't do better.

Early in 1876 the Chancellor was sounded informally as to whether he would accept the Bishopric of Calcutta. He eventually declined it. The suggestion was made through the Rev. John Wordsworth, now Bishop of Salisbury. Canon Crowfoot writes: "I was present at the agony which the decision brought. He felt, he told me, as if he had made 'il gran rifiuto.""

Letters relating to Bishopric of Calcutta. From
John Wordsworth to E. W. Benson.

MY DEAR FRIEND,

KEBLE TERRACE, OXFORD.

Friday, May 19, 1876.

A letter was shown me this morning entrusting me with the difficult and (as I feel it) really solemn commissionon the part of Lord Salisbury'-to find out whether you would listen to an offer of the Bishopric of Calcutta, if made to you. Maclagan you know has declined it-and Lord Salisbury is naturally anxious that the number of those who actually decline a public offer of so important a See should be as few as possible, and this I think is a feeling one is bound to sympathise with. Nevertheless he can hardly expect you not to take counsel with your most intimate friends under seal of secrecy.

A formal offer will certainly follow, if you incline towards it. Now, dear friend, what do you think? Perhaps it has passed through your mind long ago, as your name has been frequently suggested for it in common talk-though this is very different from really facing the question when it becomes a reality.

For my own part I almost fear you ought to go. Yet I will not say fear-though it will be almost like losing a hand to part with you, rarely as I see you.

This place is perhaps next in importance in the English Church to the Throne of Canterbury-and I do not know of anyone much better qualified to fill it than you are; I don't speak with any blind friendship at all-as you know; I know too what you are giving up and the value of it. I know the terrible sacrifice you will have to make as regards your children. I know the danger of health to your dear wife and self. But "les pères de famille sont capables de tout "_do you remember writing it? It was as it were a challenge,—and this seems the answer sent by God's Providence. They will be the gainers in the end by a wider sympathy and grander associations and interests—though losers now in a way most painful to them and to you.

Yes, I think you must go and help to build a great house for 1 Then Secretary of State for India.

2 Then Vicar of Kensington, Bishop of Lichfield 1878, Archbishop of York since 1891.

our Master the Saviour of the world—your past life seems to fit you for it with its varied experiences-your Cambridge connection-your Oxford friendships-which are real-your physical gifts, as well as moral and spiritual ones.

I cannot write more, but only pray God as I finish to give you right judgment.

Your loving friend always,

JOHN WORDSWORTH.

To Canon Westcott.

THE CHANCERY, LINCOLN.

23 May, 1876.

MY DEAR WESTCOTT,

I hoped that it was just possible that I might see you yesterday in London, to have your counsel on a letter which I forwarded to Lightfoot by the morning post.

It was an offer to offer the Bishopric of Calcutta to me if I would intimate that I would accept it,—this method being adopted on account of the unadvisability of having such a place declined. I can't and ought not to enter into the questions which surge about it. But after talking to Lightfoot and hearing what he could tell me of views as to the future of that Church, I think that all the Light I can yet attain does not enable me to see that I can leave my children. Six children from sixteen to four years old are surely not meant to be left in the wilderness-and the promise is to those who give up delights, not those who forsake duties.

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I can't think that this is a call." I see rather an angel with his sword drawn standing between two walls. One word from you.

I have ventured to take nearly a week to weigh the proposal which you conveyed to me. It was made with a delicacy for which I am grateful; for I had hoped that the See of Calcutta would not go begging.

The work and the scene of it, the new aspects of Church-life and hope there, and the prospect of a multiplication of Sees which I understand to be growing definite, are attractive almost beyond my powers to resist; and hitherto I have been so happy in life as never to have had to resist what seemed Calls to work: therefore I soon felt that I could set aside all lesser difficulties.

But one difficulty is insurmountable.

Even if a man with

a family is ever free for such a mission, I am circumstanced so peculiarly that we could not, if I left England, secure the sound religious training of our children, who are now between the ages of sixteen and four.

Tékva exeiv Tiσrá' is a Pauline note of a Bishop. Whatever other charge is offered, these six souls have been committed to me-and after praying for light I cannot see how to leave them in danger of darkness. I must therefore, and without a question, and only now wondering that such an offer should in God's Providence have come to me so placed, say that I should not be able to entertain the offer of the Bishopric of Calcutta. Your ever affectionate,

E. W. BENSON.

May, 1876.

Reasons for and against accepting the Bishopric of Calcutta. A paper drawn up by E. W. B. for his own consideration.

Pro.

1. (a) Receive it as a call from God.

(b) Quid hoc ad Iphicli boves? Would vanish by its becoming a definite proposal. (Ans. to b con.)

B. I.

Con.

1. (a) The channel used is a

Statesman's offer which has been made to one and refused. Thus the element of human deliberation is so large and so distinct in determining the ultimate result, that there is no excuse for omitting any human consideration in deciding.

(b) It is only a tentative proposal, dissimilar to any case of "Follow me." I think the Apostle would have been excused from answering the question of a disciple, "If He should ask you will you be prepared to say Yes?" None of them had this trial.

1 To have believing children.

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1 "For the sake of the Gospel," Mk. viii. 35.