THE CLERGY AND THE WAR LOAN.
[To TRII EDITOR OF THZ .SPROTATOR."] Sze,,—It seems to me that the clergy have hardly done as much as they could in the matter of the- War Loan. In the middle of July, knowing the great amount of money there was in the possession of the working classes, owing to some thousands of troops being billeted in a certain small provincial town in Surrey, on the spur of the moment 1 went down to the National Schools and promised the children that the first fifty should have sixpence each if they bought a five-shilling voucher. In a week I got, thanks to the schoolmaster who worked hard, £36. Then the term ended. I went away before the new term began, but now before December 12th I hope to get, say, £50 or £60. Now, just imagine, with nearly ten thousand National Schools in England, what could be done if the clergy took the slightest interest, or brought the matter before the poorer classes in the parish magazines, which are, alas I only too often filled up with so much trivial rubbish. Think of what could be done in some of the colliery districts, where men have had their £4 a week, and have never paid any Income Tax.—I am, Sir, &c., A MERE LAYMAN.
The suggestion is a good one; but our correspondent is much too hard on the clergy, and seems to assume that the clergy own and control all schools. Speaking generally, the clergy of all denominations are fully inspired with the spirit of patriotism.—ED. Spectator.]
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