THE POVERTY OF THE CLERGY.
[To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR.'] Si,—This subject is evidently pressing heavily on the hearts of those who have the care and oversight of the churches, and that, too, from the plainest and most urgent point of view,— viz., the difficulty of making right provision for the simple, decent maintenance of men without whom the work of the ministry must be left undone. May I be allowed to point oat two ways in which this may be done ? One, the ordination of men who are not separated from secular callings, but who, for all that, have time and opportunity and dedicated purpose of heart, that would enable them to offer themselves for the work of the ministry, without burden to the Church for their maintenance ; the other, recurrence to the free-will payment of the tithe (the tenth part of a man's income), as a fund primarily for the sustentation of the clergy.
Against both these methods much, I know, might be said ; but in favour of both the sure warrant of Holy Scripture, as well as the earlier practice of the Church, may, I think, be found; and the Bishops may feel sure that no pressure would ,loe needed on their part—but only due and proper regulation —to secure a helpful measure of response to both these methods in the hearts of many faithful men in the ranks of the churches, who share with them the recognition of the grave and serious need of the Church in this our day.—I am, Sir, &c., F. HAIGH. The Limes, Alsager, Cheshire, June 20th.
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