but, let his services not bring him the vile and abject recompense, that he expected for them, his uneasiness is expressed on every occasion; he considers his diligence thrown away, and begins to experience the chagrin, of being an useless workman. The dignity of our ministry, I feel, blushes at such a charge being brought against a labourer in the Lord's vineyard; and, it is not without reluctance, that, before an assembly so respectable as that which I am now addressing, I introduce so unpleasing a subject. But with whom can I lament over such abuses, but with you, my Brethren, who are not unacquainted with them? Were these concerns, like many others, concealed in the bosom of the sanctuary, we might dissemble them; but by this mercenary rapacity, which is circumscribed by no bounds of decency or moderation, the Pastor becomes odious and contemptible to his flock, and Religion, in the judgment of a gross and ignorant people, a sordid gain, a dishonourable traffic*. * I once heard a distinguished Prelate, prove the utility of tythes to the farmer, when paid, not to the Impropriator, (who, however wealthy, is said to be invariably rigorous) but to the Parson. The Rector, in general, does not demand more than half the real value of the tythe, the landlord, if the land be tythe free, lets his farm at a rent, considerably aboye what the farmer would pay to the Clergyman, in lieu of tythes; so that the farmer gains the difference, of what he does not pay to the Clergyman, and of what he would pay to the landlord. But this reasoning is upon the supposition, that every Clergyman is very moderate in his demands. That this is a promi Z I well know, that such a want of principle, and such an absence of Religion, pervade many people, that they would deprive you of your just rights: but let me observe, that there are very many Clergyman, who, by their zeal, their piety, their disin terestedness, are, in the estimation of their parish, nent feature in the character of the British Clergy, almost every farmer, who compounds for his tythes, proclaims with satisfaction, and acknowledges, with gratitude. But, among so many beneficed Clergyman, it is to be expected, that a few individuals, some compelled by necessity, and others, actuated by avarice, will either claim, nearly the value, or receive their tythes in kind: in which case, not only the advantages, accruing from the payment of tythes, to the farmer, are, during such incumbency, suspended, but quarrels and litigations often ensue, always pernicious to the interests of Religion, and to the stability of the Church. To adopt any mode of compensation, whereby, at once, to satisfy the clamorous, to preserve to the Clergy their legitimate rights, and to render the ministry useful, as it ought to be, has hitherto baffled the wisdom of the wise, and overturned the plans of the speculative. It may not be thought improper to add, that where the great Tythes are in the hands of a Layman, and there is a necessity for the services of two Clergymen, arising either from laborious duty-a Chapel attached to the Mother-Church, at the latter of which there is service twice in the day-or from any other cause that the Impropriator, if he has both the Vicarial and Rectorial Tythes, ought, in justice, to discharge the whole; if only the latter, the half, of the Curate's stipend. The Legislature intended, no doubt, to do justice to the Curates; but the great Tythes having, originally, belonged to the Church, if the Legislature felt themselves warranted to alienate a part of the Vicar's pittance-would it have been other than retributive justice to have bound the Impropriator under the same obligation? This subject will, I trust, soon bẹ illustrated and enforced by abler pens. १ most valuable Ministers, and who, far from going to the extent of their claims, know how to abate of their legal demands, and to compassionate the wants of their parishioners, on occasions where charity and humanity demand it of them. There have been instances, however, where some have refused to pay to their Pastor, the rights attached to his office, being first irritated by the rapacity of the Pastor himself, whose claims have been unreasonable, and his demands oppressive. It may indeed, generally, be said, that the altercations which happen in parishes, between the Pastor and his flock, are confined to those Clergymen, who, in their conduct, are neither the most edifying, the most charitable, nor the most exemplary, in the diocese. Such is the first abuse I had to mention the ri gour in exacting your revenues: the second is, an imposing avarice, which, after having been so strict in the exaction, refuses them towards the support of those who are in distress. You know, my Brethren, and melancholy experience confirms the observation every day, that the Clergy, the most severe, and the most rapacious, in claiming their rights, often live with the greatest meanness. Were those Pastors, who are so avaricious, charitable to their neighbours, their conduct would, in this, at least, be worthy of our admiration, and entitled to our applause: but a mean and contemptible avarice renders them still harder, and more insensible, to the wants of the poor, whom they have daily before their eyes. This vice seems to be a curse attached to the priesthood; and, to what disgrace does it not subject the dignity of our holy calling? We see Clergymen defile their characters, with the lowest and most ignominious occupations; running every where; more skilled in making a bargain than other men; leaving their Churches, suffering the souls entrusted to them to perish, that they may not lose an opportunity of gain; and appearing of- . ten at public meetings, in an unseemly and unclerical garb, and authorizing, by their intemperance, drunkenness, and revellings, so common in such places. At this I am not surprised: an avaricious and mercenary Pastor is capable of any thing: every good principle is suppressed; every feeling that is honourable to human nature is extinct in his bosom; charity, religion, even decorum, and the respect that he owes to his situation : * * Is it not exceedingly to be lamented that the Clerical Bills lately passed, which afford universal satisfaction, did not prohibit Incumbents from acting as agents to men of fortune? I. know nothing more disreputable in itself, nor more injurious to the cause of religion, than the custom now, unhappily too prevalent, of Clergymen attending fairs and markets, to buy and sell stock for gentlemen, whose servants they, virtually, become; estimating the value, and raising the rents, of farms; superintending workmen, &c. &c. thereby debasing their clerical character, and casting an indelible stain upon the Church. he is possessed of an inherent meanness, incapable of any of those noble sentiments, suggested by the duties, and enforced by the reverence, of the priesthood. When he is called into another scene of existence, he leaves scandal and derision in the public mind, mortification and sorrow in the hearts of all those, to whom are entrusted the interests of the Church, and the honour of Religion."They that will be rich," says the Apostle, "fall "into temptation and a snare, and into many fool“ish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in des❝truction and perdition. For the love of money "is the root of all evil:. which, while some "have coveted after, they have erred from "the faith, and pierced themselves through with 66 many sorrows. But thou, O man of God, flee "these things; and direct thy endeavours to "fol"low after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, "patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of "faith; lay hold on eternal life." As to you, my Brethren, who are the support, and the whole consolation of my Episcopate; you who know, that the Church hath not ordained Ministers for themselves, but in order to be " men "of God," to whose exertions, the advancement of his glory, and the preservation of his interests, are committed, among mankind; do you continue to shun these abuses, so full of affliction to the Church, and of reproach to its Ministers. "Fol"low after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness." Continue to give to your 66 |