ARREST OF MR. GREEN.

It was twelve months on Sunday since the arrest of Mr. GREEN, the

Manchester clergyman, for contempt of Court, and the High Church party celebrated

the day by special prayer on behalf of the reverend prisoner. No one will find

fault with them for thus showing their sympathy with one who belongs to the

same school of thought as they themselves do; but it is to be hoped that

among the blessings they asked on behalf of Mr. GREEN was the removal of the

spirit of stubborn self-sufficiency which alone stands in the way of his

deliverance from gaol.

No doubt a good many pulpits rang on Sunday with the kind of stuff

which is being put forth in the Ritualist journals about Mr. GREEN, and

congregations were told that he was suffering "in defence of the constitutional rights

and liberties of the Church of England." It would be well, however, if the

reverend gentleman who acted as his apologists were to explain wherein Mr.

GREEN differs from any ordinary person who, having obtained a post of trust and

emolument by professing to accept certain specific conditions, deliberately

violates those conditions, and sets at defiance the law which is put in

motion to compel him to fulfil his contract.

So long as we have one law for clergy and laity we do not see how the

conduct of Mr. GREEN can be excused; and as for his imprisonment he may bring

it to an end tonight if he sees fit to do so.

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