Page:Distinguished Churchmen.djvu/166

 exists a large number of Churchmen high-rather high, moderately high and highly moderate-who sympathise generally with the objects of the E.C.U., but are far too respectable to commit themselves by becoming members of a society upon which the Episcopal Bench from time to time frowns. In gathering materials for my History of the E.C.U., I found that about 10 per cent, of those who join in any one given year resign sooner or later ; but it may be said with assurance that never at any time are more than 1 or-at the very outside 2 per cent, of the members out of touch with the whole body. Of course there have been occasions when a strongly-marked difference of opinion has arisen. For instance, when the Burials Bill became a Government measure, the Council was severely criticised for not taking energetic action. I am afraid I was the prime mover. Again, in the controversy about Lux Mundi, which led to Archdeacon Denison's retirement from the Union, there were certainly burnings of heart. But on both occasions the number of withdrawals was singularly small."

"I believe the E.C.U. has nothing to do with politics ?"

"No, indeed. Just as, by virtue of its broad constitution, Churchmen of every shade of opinion among those commonly called High Churchmen, belong to the Union, so every political school in England is represented both on the Council and

���