THE BURDENS OF THE CLERGY.
[TO THE EDITOR Or THE "SPECTATOR."] SIB,—One thousand clergymen can verify from experience the lurid rictute "Emeritus" has drawn of the burdens they
have to endure. All these sad facts were known when the Victoria Sustentation Fund was launched on the world. The eloquence of Bishops and prominent laymen was freely expended by way of emphasising the paramount importance and urgency of relieving the dire extremity of the rural clergy. And yet this appeal has resulted in an average from Church- men of lid. a head! Unless something is done benefices can be occupied by those only who possess private means, and merit, devotion to duty, piety, and scholarship (plus poverty) will not be qualifications for preferment. What can be done now the appeal ad misericordiam has failed ? Allow me to make two suggestions. The income of the clergy is the only pro- fessional income for services rendered which is liable to be rated. A memorial on this point is to be presented shortly to the Prime Minister and Mr. Balfour. The signatories ask no favour, but merely demand justice. The memorial has been already signed by more than five hundred beneficed clergy. Will those who have not yet signed communicate their willingness to do so to the Rev. H. Macpherson, Grayne Vicarage, Rochester? Another pressing hardship referred to by "Emeritus" is the Dilapidations Act. I invite those e,lergy who desire to have this law amended to write to the Rev. W. Heaton, Morville Vicarage, Salop. Let me impress upon the clergy the urgency of taking action in the direction T. have indicated, at once.—I am, Sir, &a.,
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