Denbighshire Free Press

St. Asaph Diocesan I Conference. I Corwen has this week been the scene of I a Diocesan Conference in connection with the St Asaph Diocese, and on Wednesday and Thursday the town was filled with clerical <.nd lay representatives of the Church from all parts of the See. A very extensive programme had been arranged, and the present condition of affairs with regard to the Ritual question rendered the conference of special importance. The proceedings began at eight o'clock on Wednesday morning with a celebration of Holy Communion at the Parish Church, followed by a service in English at 10.1- at which a sermon was delivered by the Principal cf St David's College, Lampeter. The business proper opened at 12.30 in the Assembly-rooms, which were tested to their utmost capacity to find accommoda- tion for the large number of delegates who bad assembled. After the opening address by the President, the Lord Bishop of the Diocese, the report of the Standing Committee and also of the St Asaph Clergy Bustentation Fund were presented, and the remainder of the time TVAS TAKEN up in the election of hon secretaries and treasurer and the appointment of three clerical and I three lay members of Central Council of I Diocesan Conference and of two members of National Society's Committee. The afternoon meeting was taken up by a dis- cussion upon the Queen Victoria Clergy Sustentation Fund, the speakers being the E<»,rl of Powis, Canon J Dobell, and the Hon L A Bredriek. Th3 following is a complete list of the dele- gates preselit The Revs Henry Drew. Buckley. Canon Fletcher, Wrexham. J Morgan, Llanrwst. D Jones, Llnn<xerniew. D Davies, Llansilin. H Williams. J'ootfadoy. Bulkeley 0 Jones, Ruthin. H Humphreys, Henllan. Lewis Williams, Prion. J Jones, Llandegla. J Roberts, Garthlmlio. H H Pugh, Flint. W Hughes, Llanuwchlivn D Williams, Llan- dyrnog. R Michael Jones, Rhyl. E Lodwick Ellis, Bettwsynrhos. -J P Hughes, Coedpoeth, J P Evans, Llanddoget. Robert Jones and P Davies, I I-trn. Roberts, Pool I Quay. Philip nwcn. Fron Goeh. J P Poole Hughes, Mold. (; Ilanington, Llanerfyl. 0 Davies, Pontbleiddyn. D Jotu. Llanfeehdir. J Griffiths, Colwyn. S F Phillips, Bod far i. E A Fishbourne, Gresford. — Jones, Llan. gynhafal. J Roberts, Bangor-Isycoed. C Davies, Northop. D IXivies, Denbigh. J W Thomas. Rhosymedie. S Jones, Coedfallwch. J S Jones, Llantysilio. B Jones, Llangower. J Jones, Cerrigydruidion. R M Edwards, Yspytty Ifati. J Lloyd Williams, Wrexham. D Williams, Llanyny?. E J Evans, Chirk. E Jones, Mold. J Hamer Lewis, St Asaph. E Jones, Brymbo. J Uwen, Dyserth J Wil- liams, Llanwudyn. C Williams, Llanergan. LI Williams, Gwyddelwern. F LI Hodges, Hawarden. R Davies, Gorsedd. C H F'hillips, Chirk. Williams, Llanrwst. W P Kitcat, Buckley. W Jones, Llanfaircaereinion. D Griffiths, St Mary's, Cefn. 0 1) Williams, Berse. 0 Davies, Pontbleiddyn. W Hughes, Derwen, W Nicholas, Flint. T H Yaughan, HItyl, Thomas Harries, Aberhafusp. R R Jones, Rhydycroesau. W Yaughan, Bettws Cedewain. D W Evans, St George. J Davies, Whitford. R 0 Williams, Holywell. Elring- ton Bissett, Bangor. F Galiwey, Wortheu- bury. W Williams, Hawarden. D Jones, The Lodge. Williams, Nanncrch. J Fisher, Ruthin. — Morris, Holywell. W Evans, >T- T 'Tout's, ^-T A-!) Richards, :■ ■' •J I ,X»ICI.I, Nit/siyn. J Davies, Penycae. T Phillips, Kerry. D Jones, Llanrhaiadr-yn-Mochnaiit. Basil Jones, Llanfair D.C. J Morris, Llanelidan. C Robinson, Pen- rhos. T Williams, CU!!NAH'-» Quay. R Jennings, Glynceiriog. A Jennings, isycoect. (4 George, Bistre. W L Protheroe, Llanasa. J Edwards, Llangollen. T Timothy, Penycae. W Davies, Llanfvnydd. E Simpson, Wrexham. — Hopkins, Wrexham. G C J ones, Hawarden. Spencer Ellis, Llansanuan. R Edwards, Bettws Gwerfil goch. H Eaton Thoraas, Den- bigh. J Evans, Giyndyfrdwy. D Pugh, Ysceiflog. B J. Phillips, Llanddulas. S Rees, Llangyniew. H Roberts, Colwyn Bay. Bevan Jones, Llangollen. E M Roderick, Ruabon. E Edwards, Whittington. F James, Rossett. E Davies, Llansilin. R Owen, Llanfor. J Edwards, Tremeirchiori. J J Jones, Llanrwst. Jenkins Menlove, Hirnant. C F Roberts, Llanddulas. D W Davies, St Asaph. D L U enkms. Bala. J Dobell, Gwersyllt. N Ogrlvy, Oswestry. Davies, Llangar. Jenkin Jones, Holt. W L Martin, Berriew. J Williams, Llangadwaladr. W Davies, Llan- gwstenin. A Jones, Llanyblodwell. W J Williams, Llanychan. W Jones, Brynford. Rees Jones, Llansantffraid. Herbert Evans, Mold. D Davies, Northop. Principal Bebb, Lampeter. G Owen, Bodelwyddan. T Jones, Llanfyllin. T Jones, St Asaph. G Jones, Mostyn. James, Pennant. D Stephens, Welshpool. Canon Jones, Llanymynech. Arch- deacon LI Wynne Jones, Llangollen. T James, Llanfihangel. J Rees, Carrog. T LI Williams, Corwen. T Lloyd, Abergele. D W Evans, Llangedwvn. G Williams, Pontrevoelas. D Edwards, Rhyl. D G Pritchard, Abergele. A Evans, Connah's Quay. B C Edwards, Gres- ford. Archdeacon Thomas, Llandrinio. R Gibbins, Llanmerewig. E M Griffiths, Clo- caonog. Williams, Llandrillo. R D Mallyn, Tallarn Green, Morgan, Llandysil. Brown, Gobowen. Archdeacon Ferguson, Connah's Quay. J W Unwin, Overton. Lewin, Newtown. 0 M Fieldon, Frankton. W W Owen, Gwernaffield. J E Thompson, Esclusham. J W Jones, Meifod. J Silas Evans, St Asaph. W Jenkins, Llanfair D.C. Messrs Richard W Hughes and Frederick Davies, Llansantffraid. P H Williams, Llan- fynydd. E L Moreton, Kinnerly. C W Richards, Llangollen. J Evans, Llawr Bettws. G Whitehouse, Wrexham. W B Roberts, Llangollen. John Clarke, Trefonen. R R Thomas, LlansantifraidG.C. Edward Edwards, Gwersyllt. Walter Slater, Wrexham. C A Richards, Llansilin. C H B Williams, Over- ton. Robert Hughes, St George, Abergele. John Edwards, Rhydycroesau. R Lyons, Wrexham. E W Davies, Llansilin. E Williams, Llanfair D.C. James Davidson, Welsh Frankton. Edward Jones, Connah's Quay. Thomas Hopley, Welsh Frankton. John Davies, Wrexham. John Hughes, Llanelidan. W H Warner, Llanrhos. Peter Williams, Efenechtyd. Thomas Lee Jones, Dyserth. Robert Roberts, Llandegla. William Roberts, Mostyn. F Bateman, Gwersyllt. C Davison, Connah's Quay. W J P Story. Rhvl. James M H ughes, Llangedewain. William Jones, I LLmarmon-yn-J.'ale. William Owen, Bala. Robert Jones, Minera. H J W Watling, Llanrwst. Joseph Jones, Rhyl. A G Calbeck, Wrexham. Col Sandbach, Llangerniew. H A Tilby, Rhyl. John Jones. Newmarket. John Jones, St Asaph. T R Jones, St Asaph. G Hughson, Esclusham. T Stealey and R H Thomas, Brynford. Lewis Edwards, Ys- ceifiog: J Matthews, Cerrigydruidion. W Roberts, Ysceifiog. John Lloyd, Flint. W B Yates, Nannerch. Robert Horspool, Llan- gollen. Walter Williams, St Asaph. J P Mumford, St Asaph. C F Woodall, Colwvn. C W Parsonage, Isycoed. Thoma.s Griffiths, Llangerniew. Thomas Pryce, Llantysilio. John Owen Roberts, Dyserth. John Morris, Llanfair D.C. Thomas Jones, Buckley. G Jones, Llangyniew. W Morris, Dyserth. W J Gregory, Oswestry. J Edwards, St Martin's. G Mumford, Brymbo. K Hughes, Gwaenys- gor. 1 Evans, Wem. R Hughes, Rhuddlan. J Hayward, Worthenbury. J Inglis, Llan- dudno. C Bowdage, Llanrhos. D C Radcliffe, Abergele. W H Lloyd, Connah's Quay. P P Pennant, Nantlys. C W Tywnsnend, Rossett. Hon C H Wynn, Corwen. W F Rogers, Os- westry. John Roberts, Llanfair. J Hughes, Llandrillo. J Mason, Caerfallwch. C Morris, Ruabon. G H Beckett, SFC George. W E Roberts, Giyndyfrdwy. S Perks, Rhyl. T R James, Gresford. E Roberts, Glyntraian. F Davies, Pontfadog. Sir R E E^erton, Wrex- j ham. I Jones, Gwaenysgor. JH Jones, Rhos- ymedre. G Lloyd, Llantysilio. B T G Bos- cawen. Rossett. J C Evans, Bala. C H C Calverley, Llandderfel. W Evans, Minera. M S Rogers, Flint. H E Walker, Corwen. R Humphreys Roberts, Denbigh. Thos Ifogg, Rhosddu. S Roose, Rhyl. Col Heaton, Hen- llan. H A Cope, Holywell. C Davenport, WREVVIQ?N R Ov.c: Knockin. Win Evans, Rhydycroesau. W Davies, Llanychan. G Beckett, Ruabon. W Faulkner, Pontfadog. w I R A Cunlilfe, Wrexham. J Allen, Derwen. E E Bone, Llanrhos. W G Walker, Knockin. E Dodd, Gwersyllt. J S Scales, Llanfair D.C. C Shuker, Welshpool. Colonel F Justice, Berriew. DR Brooks-, Colwyn Bay. Col Evans Lloyd, Llanycil. Major Dunn, Wrexham. J Wilcock, Hawarden, W E Williams, Llangar. J Hughes, Glanrafon. R Hughes, Flint. W Edwards, Bistre. W Richards, Llanrhaiadr. R H Brown, Rhyl. S C Moore, Ruabon. J Hughes, Llanfihangel. J C Brown, Caerfall- wch. W Matthews, Caarwys. E Roberts, Llangerniew. J Beckett, Tailarn Green. Col S P Lynes, Llangwm. T Wright, Hawarden. J Meredith, Cefn. J Whitfield, Llansilin. J Brook field, Buckley. E Edwards, lsycoed. C J Batten, Llanasa. W Pattinson, Ruthin. R C Enyo.I, Rhuddlan. Dr Jones, Corwen. ST Wilkinson, Gyffylliog. J E Oldfield, Bettws. Col Mesham, Bodfari. C R Jones, Holt. Hon E Hewitt, Llanfair. E Evans, Gyftyllio^. R D Metcalf, Bistre. T Williams, Cefn. J Jones, Llanfor. Mrs D Winton, Shrewsbury. Mrs Baker, Llangollen. Mrs Holland, &c. OPENING ADDRESS BY THE PRESIDENT. THE PROGRESS OF THE criuplcll. THE RITUAL CONTROVERSY. A PLEA FOR NATIONAL SCHOOLS. The Lord Bishop of the Diocese was greeted with loud applause on rising to deliver his presidential address. He said On the last meeting of our Conference in this century, thought naturally becomes retrospective. In the episcnpnl records at I St Asaph valuable materials are available 11 for forming a correct estimate of the condition of the Church in this Diocese at the opening of the century. When we (' contrast what was then with what is to-day useful lessons are suggested. These epis- copal records still extant, throw abundant light upon a period of singular moment in the religious history of Wales.' Would that someone gifted with the true historic spirit could study these materials, and set forth their story in its true proportion and continuity. Time will only allow TIle to j select some remarkable and guiding facts from these records. I take the account given at the beginning of the century of 118 parishes—omitting those since trans- ferred to another diocese. In 51 of the 118 parishes there was no parsonage house. There wer.. day schools in 39 of these parishes, and Sunday schools in 10. Of the beneficed clergy I find that only 4n were resident and 69 benefices were held in plurality. One illustration will be a disce ab uno omnes. Corwen had at that time no parsonage house, although in 1791 it is stated that the oldest inhabitant is said to have remem- bered the ruins of a globe house. Corwen was served by a curate who also took the duty at LlansantiTraidd. The Rector resided 18 miles from Corwen, but states that he generally did the duty at Corwen on Euntcr DAY (IAUGMER/. Many indications occur of the character of the services. The absence of any illusion to vocal or instru- mental music at that time in the Churches is noticeable. In N letter written by Walter DavieB (Gwalter Meehain) in 1807 in reference to a Day and Sunday School, which he was establishing in his parish, this remark is made—" Psalmody has been entirely laid aside in many of our Churches." What an interesting history, by the way, might be written of Welsh Hymnology during this century. The diary of a clergyman who served two churches four miles apart shows with what difficulty and inconvenience the work was carried on. On Sunday morning he began with a service and sermon at 9 a.m. in one parish, then travelled for a similar service at 11.15 to the other parish, where an afternoon ser- vice was also held at four. An evening service waa held in the other parish. When we think of the state of the parishes, churches and schools to-day, and remember that the century now ending has seen about 200 churches built, rebuilt, or restored, National schools built or restored in nearly every parish, 140 parsonage houses built and non-residence become a thing of the past, there is much to be thankful for. Again, take thought of what at the time must have seemed the overwhelming diffi- culties of the church, at the beginning of this century, and see how by the blessing of God those difficulties have been faced and overcome. Surely the most faint- hearted will take fresh courage. You remember that Thucydides in his history of the Peloponnesian war mentions the natural tendency that men have to regard the war in which they have engaged a3 the greatest thot has been or ever will be of its kind. This error of disproportion is widely hu- man. To-day the word crisis is the heatlline of Church news. This seems to me an exaggeration. Certain points of t,9 ritual have become matters of difficulty and dispute. Order demands the resolu- tion of these difficulties, but who is to command obedience. A number in the church revolt against what are called "the secular courts," and decline obedience to such a tribunal. A conscientious refusal of this kind demands consideration. The Archbishop of Canterbury with the Arch- bishop of York have given their decision on two disputed points. What authority can they claim ? Let us remind ourselves of the facts. Every priest before ordination makes a solemn declaration that he will use the form prescribed in the Prayer Book except so far as shall be ordered by lawful authority. The preface to the Prayer Book, which, be it remembered, is part of the Prayer Book, states that in cases of doubt arising resort shall be had to the Bishop of the Diocese, and that if the Bishop of the Diocese be in doubt, then he may send up the question of settlement to the Archbishop. It would seem perfectly clear that the priest who has made this solemn declaration before his ordination, and has taken the oath of canonical obedi- ence cannot, if loyalty and plighted troth count for anything, refuse to accept the decisisons of the Archbishops. It has been r pointed out that that decision rests upon the two strongest and most fundamental things in the Church of England-the Prayer Book and Episcopal Authority. The Archbishops have given their decision with 1 regard to the two points submitted to them, We are not to determine what might be fitting or permissible at some future time, but whether under the present directions of the BOOII of Common Prayer the liturgical use of incense is lawful or un- lawful in the Church of England, and we are obliged to come to the conclusion that the use of incense in the public worship, and as a part of that worship is not at present required nor permitted by the law of the Church of England, and it is our duty to request the clergy who so use it to discontinue that use." With regard to the second point they state and in this case, as in that of incense, we are obliged to re- quest the clergy to discontinue what the I law of the Church of England does not per- mit—the carrying of lights in procession." I feel sure that the great majority of Churchmen write in a grateful recognition of the labour and attention given by the two primates to the questions sub- mitted for their decision. The Archbishop of Canterbury needs no compliment. We are thankful that God has raised up such a man to preside over the Church of England at this time. In this diocese there, is not a single parish where these disputed points of ritual exist, and when it is remembered that they obtain in less than 000 churches, the extent of the difficulty may easily be over-stated. I believe the great majority of the clergy concerned will loyally and readily yield to the Archbishops that obedience which they have solemnly vowed to give. It is true that the President1 of the English Church Union has issued a manifesto which is deplored by none more deeply than by those who, liko myself, entertain sincere respect for his earnestness and character. The direction that clergy, if they obey, should obey grudgingly, and that while they give up the semblanse they should still hold on to the reality if the practices condemned has less virture in it than a straightforward refusal. I do not think such advice will commend itself to the English character. It would indeed be strange if those who have protested so loudly against a secular or lay court should refuse the obedience they owe to the Arch- bishops and Bishops while they are ready to obey the direction of a single layman who speaks to them as president of a party society. We will ohey a, properly con- stituted court—-and that only is a properly constituted court which decides as we wish them to decide, and if we are af-ked to obey any court which decides against our wishes, we must declare disestablish- ment." This would be a position which one can haidly imagine any Churchman taking up- The Archbishops have STRIVEN I to restore the discipline of the Church, and to me it seems that those clergymen who fail to support them in their task, and who prove disobedient and disloyal, well incur a very grave responsibility. Passing from these questions of the hour to some of the grave practical needs which the Church must face in the coming century, we think first of our National schools. I question whether the aid grant, helpful as it has been, can be regarded as a permanent and sufficient support, if the National schools FIR? t" HO equal in equipment and staII to the Buard schools. We cannot be too often reminded that we struggle to maintain our National schools for the sake of the religious instruction given ia them, and that the importance of making this instruction thorough is supreme. It is indeed lost labour to strain parochial and diocesan resources for National schools, where those primarily interested in this instiuction, take no share and show no activity in its promotion. In Wales we have now a net work of intermediate schools. Those schools have been es- tablished with limitations and deficiences, unavoidable it may be. Churchmen will be wise to disregard the unalterable and to make the beat use they can of these schools, helping by their presence on the governing bodies to secure a broad and enlightened control and the special adaptation of the school to the necessities of its locality, and the clergy will not grudge, I am sure, that educational experience which no class in the country arc more fitted to give than they are. In my opinion, the gravest question before the Church, not perhaps especially in Wales, is the supply of candidates for holy orders. The general level of education in Wales is being rapidly and steadily raised, and we must look to it that the educational standard for the ministry is not allowed to fall below that of the other learned pro- fessions. It must be remembered that the difference between the young clergyman and young men in other professions lies in the greater opportunities-as it has been said—which the young clergyman enjoys of displaying his want of professional know- ledge. It takes a genius to speak well on a subject of which he knows little or nothing. Perhaps clerical inefficiency is more readily resented because it is more obvious and immediate. livery effort, therefore, must be made not only to keep up but to raise the standard. All must desire to see a larger number of Oxford and Cambridge graduates, while thankfully recognising the good work done in other institutions to which I referred more in detail in my charge. I desire once more to emphasise the importance of this subject. I should rejoice to see the number of university men who seek holy orders in this diocese increase. Much, or rather most, can be done by the incumbent who will not take the first man who applies, but who will spare no trouble or pains to secure the best possible man as a fellow- worker (loud applause). THE STANDING COMMITTEES REPORT. The Standing Committee's Report was presented as follows:—"Circumstances make it necessary that the meetings of the conference should be held from time to time in diflerent districts of the Diocese, and in accepting the invitation received from Corwen, and selecting it as the place of the thirteenth conference, the committee were guided in a great degree by their recollection of the successful meeting which was held there in 1888. The general arrangements which have been made this year for the business of the conference are similar to those at the last meetings, and no explanation of them appears to be required. The pro- I gramme has been carefully prepared, and the subjects for discussion are important, and such as now demand to be consideied. At the Denbigh conference the heavy pressure of the rates upon the clergy was the subject oi much complaint, and in an interim report, issued in the month of January this YEAR, A majority of the members of tne Royal Com- mission on Local Taxation stated it to be their opinion that the owners of tithe-rent charge, I not severed from the benefices, have been hardly dealt with and that some special measure of relief might be fairly given them. A Bill in consequence of this recommendation was brought in by the Government, which extends to clerical tithe the relief granted to agricultural land by the Act of 1897. The Bill was very violently opposed but being firmly supported by the Government it has been carried by large majorities in both tt Houses of Parliament, and when the confer- ence meets it will certainly have become the law. This measure will remedy the injustice of 1397, when tithe by what has been des- cribed as an oversight was omitted from the provisions of the Act which relieved the land, an omission which clerical tithe owners had much reason to resent. It would be unwise to conceal from ourselves the fact that the discussion of this measure, which seeras to be a bare piece of justice to the clergv. has revealed the existence in certain quarters of A strong feeling of hostility to the established church, which may influence the conduct of politicians and cannot prudently be disregarded. Whatever happens, it is the duty of the laity and the clergy to recognise the importance < £ the objects which their joint efforts can alone- and to labour earnestly togeUL-er to increase the cfiiciency, and to secure ttie welfare of the church. Upon the motion of the IrOIl C II Wynn, the report was adopted. THE CLERGY SUSTENTATION FUND. ITS WORK IN THE DIOCESE. The annual report of the St Asaph Diocesan Clergy SUSTENTION Fund was submitted. IT was stated that a sum of E967 had been distributed among 69 livings, in sums varying from £ 25 to £ 8 The diocese, it was noted", had profittec1 largely by its alliance with the Queen Victoria Clergy Fund. It had received nearly -G800 more than it had transmitted, and a debt of gratitude was due to Lord Egerton and the other founders of that very beneficial institution. Air P P Pennant proposed the adoption of the report, and Sir Watkin Williams Wynn, in seconding, said he thought every case had been most carefully gone into at the time the different sums were allotted. ELECTION OF SECRETARIES AND TREASURER. Upon the motion of Sir Watkin Williams Wynn, seconded by Mr Grifrith-Boscawen, the secretaries and treasurer were re-elected—Yen Archdeacon Thomas as clerical secretary Chancellor Trevor Parkins, lay secretarv and Rev Frank James, treasurer. APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS OF CENTRAL COUNCIL. Sir R A CunlifFe proposed the appointment of Archdeacon Evans, Canon Fletcher, and Rev D Grimaldi Davies as clerical members -A the Central Council of Diocesan Conferences, and of Lord Harlech, Chancellor Trevor Parkins, iiici AIR P I rennant. as lav nienibors. THE NATIONAL SOCIETY'S COMMITTEE. Chancellor Trevor Parkins proposed that the Dean of St Asaph and Mr P P Pennant be elected members of the National Society's Committee, and in doing so said they could not do better than appoint the Dean, for as they knew he had great experience and took much interest in the Society. Archdeacon Thomas briefly seconded, and the motion was carried. This brought the first sitting to a close, and 1 L:: delegates then adjourned for luncheon, which WA. served in a marquee adjoining the Assembly Room, the catering being in the hands of the proprietor of the Owen Glyndwr Hotel. THE QUEEN VICTORIA CLERGY SUSTENTATION FCND. HOW TO SECURE SUPPORT. The afternoon session began at 3 o'clock, when tb delegates assembled in anticipation of a interesting discussion upon tho objects and working of the Queen Victoria. Clergy Sustentation Fund. The question was opened hy the Earl of Powis, who dealt with the SUBJECT in a very able and interesting manner. The Earl said In opening this dis- cussion upon the Clergy Sustentatiou Fund I fear that I shall be obliged to travel over what some may consider old ground in establishing the necessity for a fund of this description and in laying before you its objects and method of working before I proceed to the second part of my subject, namely the best means of securing increased support for it. First then as to the necessity of such a fund, the latest returns show that out of 13,939 parochial benefices IN England and Wales no less than 5,907 "FE "I under, JB200 a year, 1,314 have an aver,,tt-'O income of 165 a year, and 4,566 an average income of .£152 a year. In St Asaph diocese there are 209 benefices and the returns for 189b show that 14 are under £100 a year. 40 are under £ 160 a pear. 44 are under £ 200 a year. 51 are under 12,50 a year. 37 are under £ 300 a. year. And only 23 exceed E300 a year. I have not been able to obtain the complete return for 1899 but the partial return which I have obtained shows that the annual value is decreasing and that there are at present no less than 17 livings with an average income of £ 80 a year. The clergy are to a very laige extent dependent upon tithe, especially in this diocese where 85 per cent of the clergy derive their income from tithe rent charge" Tithe has fallen ia the last 25 years over 40 per cent- In 1874 tithe was worth £ 112 7s 3d, it is NO^ worth £ 68 2s, so that a clergyman who in 1874 was receiving X224 14s 6d would now receive only £ 136 4s. Surely these are rather startling figures, but they give a true unvanished state- rnent. of the position of th& clergy. But HP. the demands upon the clergy diminished 111 proportion to their income! Do not the laity expect a clergyman to be not only a man of blameless life but a cultured gentleman, well educated, a man who will inspire respect in his parish by his conduct, his education, HIS tact and judgment. Of course we expect al» this, and the laity in future will, I have NO doubt, continue to expect it. But if this ideal is to be maintained the clergy must be given a sufficient income. I ask, can you expect to find men such as are required on an incomo OF from .£60 to J5150 a year, doubtless there WILL be a few, but not the majority. There is NO question of providing huge incomes that would attract men to the ministry because of the pecuniary advantages to be obtained, but it is necessary to provide income that will enable the clergy to discharge their duties efficiently. A good man with a desire to become a clergy man, such A man as I have described considers* and rightly considers, whether he has a reason- able prospect of obtaining a sufficient income upon which he can marry and educate HIS children, giving them an education such as HE received himself, and that will fit them f°R professions such as are onen to a man of his education. Many such men will be deterred from entering the ministry and will seek some other profession in which they can be sure Of getting an income sufficient for the necessities of their families. Can S on be surprised at THE complaint which has been raised that THE number of candidates for ordination is decreas- ing, and the class of men who present thetf1' selves is inferior. To avert this, augment poor livings, to give the labourer TH hire of which he is worthy, to educate Church- men in the duties they owe to their clerov, these were the objects for which the Quet-t\ h YicVClergy Sustentation Fund was sto RTE* EOF' 'LAST century or more the Church England has been the only religious body I this country whose clergy as a rule 'have N°V been provided for by the congregation. OAR ancestors in the past endowed the clergy> BU what formerly was a sufficient income is 110 as I have shown in many cases barely enougil to keep the wolf from the door, much less TO maintain the necessary position. Under THESE circumstances the laity must realize theIr clearly defined Christian duty of providing the needs of those who minister to THEIF spiritual wants. Our Lord told the first preachers of the gospel to go without scrip aIld without purse, thereby clearly indicating us our duties towards those who minister to I now come to the second portion cf subject—the means by which this fund is to D increased. The laity have already shown willingness to respond to the appeal, W'CJG augurs well for the future of the fund. XB proposed to appeal to every throughout the land. The plan which is BEL adopted in the diocese, and I believe genera 3^ is to form committees to undertake the in e :ery rural deanery, who will endeavour