Page:Distinguished Churchmen.djvu/137

Rh “And when you were called to the secretaryship of the C.M.S. the spirit was ready?”

“Yes. It was to me an unspeakable honour to follow men like Henry Venn, Henry Wright, and, not least, Frederick Wigram, the large-hearted man of love, as generous in his gifts as he was in his character.”

“In what respect does the C.M.S. differ from the S.P.G.?”

“The S.P.G. very largely administers its funds through the Bishop of each Diocese, and the selection of missionaries is vested in a small sub-committee appointed by the Archbishops. The C.M.S. holds itself responsible to its subscribers for the selection, training and location of its missionaries. All this is kept entirely in our own hands and is directed by committees appointed by the Society. Of course our missionaries are licensed by their Bishop and are under their Bishop, but they still keep in direct touch with us. It is sometimes said that the two Societies represent the two great parties in the Church, the S.P.G. being supported by the High Church and the C.M.S. by the Evangelical. This is to some extent true, but many on both sides, and the number is increasing, support both organisations. But, though the C.M.S. was founded distinctly on what are known as Evangelical and Protestant lines, and has adhered to them strictly in its doctrinal position, it avoids mixing itself up in domestic