POOR LIVINGS.
[To THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."] SIR,—Your timely and insistent note in the Spectator of October 14th on the " Queen Victoria Clergy Fund" is a strong appeal to all true Churchmen. It is a great re- proach to such a wealthy Church as ours that in the Northern Province of York there are one hundred and twenty-seven livings below £100 of income, and in the Southern Province of Canterbury there are twelve hundred and fourteen livings below £100 of income. In the first case, the average is £65 and in the second, also, £65 per annum. This surely is not a "living wage" for a scholar and a gentleman. I speak with knowledge when I state that a young Wesleyan minister has a surer guarantee for adequate support in his earlier career than very many young clergymen. Taking note of the " pooling" of small parishes which you appear to advocate, the Wesleyan " circuit " system is worthy of consideration. There is another serious matter which is pressing to the front, the judicious employment of the latent " preaching " ability which is in a great measure lying dormant in our intelligent laity. Let that important work be safeguarded with all possible care, but this unpaid lay agency is certain to become a very important factor in the near future, when we shall have to speak to "the enemy in the gal e."—I am, Sir, &c.,
LAYMAN (ER-WESLEYAN).
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