The very stars in their courses combine to keep that
unlucky Mr. Green in prison. It appears from a correspondence between Mr. Talbot, Member for Oxford University, and. the Rev. R. T. Davidson, that the Archbishop of Canterbury, having lost his Bill for the release of contumacious ecclesiastics, waited. till August 16th—on which day, in his Grace's judgment, the three years had expired. from the inhibition, and Mr. Green, therefore, legally ceased. to be Vicar of Miles Platting—and then wrote to the Premier, saying Mr. Green should be let out. Being no longer able, as Vicar, to submit, it was foolish to require his submission. Mr. Gladstone replied, promising to consider the matter, and. then, —the Archbishop fell sick. Apart from the uncertainty about the date at which the inhibition ends, the law appears to be that although Mr. Green ceases to be Vicar, so far as duty and .stipend are concerned, a process is necessary to declare the living -vacant Nobody, except, we suppose, the patron, can set that process in motion ; and he will not. Consequently, Mr. Green is Vicar, and. not Vicar; and being guilty as Vicar and innocent as unbenefieed clergyman, must stay in prison till Parliament releases him. The whole business is a scandal on English ecclesiastical law, and if Mr. Green were a Wesleyan, the whole country would condemn the injustice. Being a rather pig- headed, but perfectly conscientious English clergyman, he can hardly obtain a hearing.
Previous page
