CLERICAL INCOMES.
Lb o THE EDITOR OF TEM "SPECTATOR"] Sla,—With reference to the subject of "Clerical Incomes," to which I see you have considerately opened your columns, the enclosed extract from the Salisbury Journal of November 6th, speaks for itself. I am well acquainted with the parish. It is a sample of many others. If you think fit to give these figures the wider circulation of the Spectator, both the friends and the enemies of the Church may find food for reflection :— " THE VIC/LRAM—In the current number of the parish magazine the Vicar publishes some information with reference to the income of the Vicarage of Gillingham. Ile states that the expenses on his coming into the living in 1882 wore so large that he had to advance 2407 out of his own pocket, and that in his first 21 years of incum- bency he was only able to repay this sum and to pay himself 2168 for the whole period. The following detailed account for 1885 is given :—Tithe rent-charge and rents received, 21,404 8a. 4d. ; office expenses, 244 8s. 11d. ; rates and taxes, 2240 16s. Ild.; curates, 2543 168. 6d. ; parochial subscriptions, 237 16s. 3d. ; diocesan and other subscriptions, 220; schools, 211 2s. 2d.; choirs and organists, 25 is.; fire insurance, 22 9s. 6d.; fees, 229 118.5d.; draining and im- provements, 237 6s. 6d.; Queen Anne's Bounty, 298 Os. 3d. ; balance available for Vicar's stipend, 2333 19a. 7d.; total, 21,404 fis. 41."
—I am, Sir, &c.,
G. J. Cowur-Baown, Incumbent of St. John's. 9 Grosvenor Street, Edinburgh, November 8th.
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