THE CHURCH PATRONAGE BILL.
[To THZ EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."]
SIR,—In these days, when Churchmen are awakening to the great Church principle of Brotherhood, patronage obtained by money or inheritance is an anachronism. There was some excuse for it in the Middle Ages. But in the beginning it was not so, and it ought to cease now. Still, rights of patronage have been recognised by law, and the problem seems to be, not how to diminish the abuses of purchasable patronage, but how to abolish it altogether, with due compensation to those who hold it. My own solution was expressed in one of my Hulsean Lectures more than twelve years ago in the following words : though indeed I cannot properly call a solution my own, which was mainly mine by adoption only. By this time I cannot but hope there are many, both Churchmen and Dissenters, who would agree with it :—" It could soon be provided that any patron who desired to turn his patron- age into money should do it in one way ; and that by an annuity for a term of years to be charged upon the benefice from the next vacancy. If to this were added the provision that the Bishop in Council might require any patron to make this arrangement if it seemed desirable for the good of the parish, there would be no more buying and selling of Church preferment, and no forcing of a clergyman upon a parish at the mere will of a patron. The advowsons so dealt with might be handed over to a Presentation committee, half of the members representing the church of the parish, the other the church of the diocese. Efforts could then be made, and often successfully, to redeem the annuity by local sub- scriptions and diocesan grants. Many an advowson, now in good hands, might remain so indefinitely."—I am, Sir, Sm.,
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