BY 1914 Liberalism which had been animating force of Victorian England and which experienced a vigorous renascence in Edwardian England seemed to have spent itself, unable to cope with problems besetting Britain on eve of First World War. An essential part of this greatness and decline of Liberalism was greatness and decline of English Nonconformity-the Protestant sects dissenting from Church of England.1 During nineteenth century Nonconformists had been characterized by religious vitality and political strength, forming what Gladstone called the backbone of British Liberalism.2 Seemingly more powerful than ever before at beginning of twentieth century, they contributed to and shared in Liberal party triumph of I906. Yet by 1914 it was apparent that Nonconformity, like Liberalism, had faltered; by 1920'S its religious vitality had markedly weakened and its political influence was negligible.3 It is purpose of this article to examine crisis of English Liberalism in terms of crisis of Nonconformist conscience. The theme is significant because Liberalism-whether regarded as a political party, an economic creed, or a frame of mind-throughout its history was closely related to Nonconformity, from which it drew constant spiritual nourishment and material strength.'