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Reports that Paul's letter of 30 November has been forwarded to him [in Cheltenham]. Claims that he would be very happy to be associated with the gentlemen whose names Paul mentioned, but fears the F[ree] C[hristian] U[nion] being turned into 'a new [ ] denomination.' Also maintains that he is so busy with other affairs that he would not be able to do much in relation to the matter. Expresses his regret at seeing 'these men dropping off', but is [no?] longer so hopeful as before of an enlargement of the Church of England from within, and thinks that 'perhaps the more vigorously it is attacked from without the better.' Presumes that the Bishop of Ely [Harold Browne] 'cannot relieve [Mr] Clarke of his orders.' Mentions to deprivation of orders and to Parliament's role in the matter. Refers to some twenty-five years previously when a member of the House of Commons brought in a bill for enabling the giving up of Orders, and Wilson wrote to Gladstone about it, but the latter 'was not then favourable to a relaxation'. Claims that in the case of the Church of England, which is publicly endowed, 'the regulation of the legal obligations of ordination is quite as much within the competence of the legislature...as of those of subscription'. Agrees with Sidgwick about the articles in Paul's book. Refers to its form, and believes that the subject of Public Worship [in one of the essays] 'will prove a very arduous one.'

Incomplete: beginning missing

The Close, Exeter - Thanks WW for his letter. EHB did not really expect WW to agree to write one of the essays [a proposed project on the evidence of a Divine creator]: 'Your writings, more or less in subjects of evidence, are so valuable, that I rejoice to hear more in the same direction are preparing'.

Volume of letters from a number of correspondents, who are represented by one or two letters each. Many of the correspondents are identified at the top of the page on which the letter is mounted, in the form of an autograph book.

Volume of letters arranged alphabetically by correspondent, with usually no more than one letter per person, each correspondent identified at the top of the page on which the letter is mounted, in the form of an autograph book.