38. PART I THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND TO-DAY "Soll man annehmen dass veraltete Bildungsmotive ohne positive Veranlassung und willkürlich in eine ganz anders angelegte Entwicklung hineinbrechen, sie verwirren und verderben, wie kann man dann der pessimistischen Ansicht von der Menscheit sich entziehen, welche die schlesteste Disposition zur Besserung verfahrener Zustände ist?"-Ritschl on Schleiermacher, p. 89. B IT has frequently of late been asserted that the old party divisions of the Church of England are now breaking down, and this amalgamation of Church parties is by some regarded as one of the most hopeful signs of the times. As to this latter point opinions may differ according as the nature of the situation is variously estimated. But as to the existence of the alleged fact-viewed simply as a fact-there can, we think, be no doubt. It seems to us unquestionable that there has been of late years in the Church of England a drawing together of factions previously hostile, a mitigation in the intensity and bitterness of party strife, and, in short, a general tendency (however it may be explained) towards peace and goodwill. But when we come to inquire into the explanation of this fact, there is, as we have hinted, great room for differences of opinion. Thus, we might explain |