Ministerial Liberty
Birmingham Daily Post 21 August 1878
To the Editor of the Daily Post
Sir, -
To this I would say, first, that whatever doctrine the minister of our church might preach, I imagine the hearers would prefer that he should be ‘earnest’ in preaching it. The question being thus narrowed a trifle, I must inform my critic that by the terms of our trust-
On their own side, also, they retain the right to ‘prove all things and hold fast that which is good.’ In pursuance of this method, if the minister is distinct in enunciating a doctrine, he is expected also to prove and recommend it by sound arguments and just considerations.
Any man who attempts this with regard to all the doctrines enumerated by ‘Observer’ will be found to talk either sense or nonsense; and if he talked nonsense very frequently I confess that I don’t think the members of our church would continue to support him. Yet it should be understood that we are not committed to the denial of the above doctrines any more than to their affirmation. With regard, for instance, to the first on the list -
As a matter of fact, some of our members tell me they are Trinitarians and some profess themselves Unitarians; and the Minister may be which he likes, provided that he does not talk nonsense in defending his view, or seek to force his opinion upon others as being a sine qua non of their acceptance with God.
I am, Sir, yours &c.,
GEORGE ST. CLAIR,
Minister of the Church of the Saviour
Llanfairfechan, August 21, 1878.