Item 115 - Letter from Julius Charles Hare

Herstmonceux - JCH is very pleased with the appointment of Alfred Ollivant as the Bishop of Llandaff - 'a most conscientious appointment it seems to me, on the part of Lord John [Russell]'. JCH's 'first wish was that Trench [Richard C. Trench] shd succeed him in the Professorship [of Theology]; for Maurice [John F. D. Maurice] seemed to me out of the question. However, after talking over the matter with Esther [Hare] in the morning, I was brought to wish that I might myself be allowed to take part in helping to work out the new system in my beloved University. At the last election it seemed to me that I had no right to come forward in opposition to a man so far superior to me in theological learning as Mill [William Hodge Mill]'. However, although JCH knows 'that in many things his claims are higher, I shd not shrink from opposing him. For I cannot think that his doctrinal views are those which are the most likely to promote the cause of Christian truth in our days'. JCH's 'own views have become much firmer of late years, and I have a securer knowledge of the foundations on which my doctrines rest. The many testimonials of gratitude & affection which I have received from students of Divinity at Cambridge encourage me to think that, if I were living amongst them & opening my heart & mind to them, I might render them service in helping them to steer among the quicksands by which theological speculation in these days is best. And it might be of some use to shew them that one may admit and recognise whatever is true and valuable in German theology, and yet retain a strong conviction of all the positive truths of the Gospel. Many signs show that this is one of the main perils of our days; & we cannot escape it by turning away from it. We must face it dauntlessly & overcome it'. Obviously JCH will not stand for the theological chair if WW is considering it. Would it be possible for JCH to take a B.D degree, or a D.D. in time to be qualified for becoming a candidate?'. Could he take the Professorship with his current living?