We have inserted from a c...
Wehaveinsertedfromaeorrespondent a statement re- spectinig certain malpractices in the attainment of Curacies. lVe believe the heads of the church are not totally uinac- quainted with the existence of the evil specified, and are duly anxious to correct it: but it is (lifficult to prove an off ~a)cc ivhich both the party sustaining, and the party oom- ntitting the injury, are alike anxious to conceal. The Le- giBdature has, we believe, from the most laudable m6tives, greatly improved the condition of stipendiary curates. Perhaps too much has been done in this respect: public sympatlhy was awakened by piteous tales, whenever any fresh measure was introduced for the benefit of the hum- bler labourers in the vineyard. Every Jurate, thien, had a wife and five childrein at least, and( a miserable pittance to support them, of, at the most, but 5f0. per annum; The consequence is, that many curacies are become (lesirable things; and thercfore the jobber steps in to frustrate the benevolent intentions of the legislator, and share the pro- fits, In enr opinion the situation of a curate should only be considered as transitorv ; and we are sorry whenever young imen enter the church, without the rea- sonable assurance of a living, or the possession of some private fortune. A curacy should not be looked to as a final object, or a permanient settlement. Anotlher evil has also crept in, of whiclh, we believe, the Bishops are aware, anti which they are also anxious to pre- vent, but which yet frequently eludes their vigilance. We refer to the subject of titles for orders ; and we speak with some shame for those who, we believe, would also have a little for themselves if they were detecte(l. There are in- cumbents so unprincipled as to present young men to the Bishops for orders, witli aaequate stipends on the face of their titles, but with a secret agreement that the duty of the church upon which the aspirant is ordained, shall be by birm serve(I gratuitously, for one,or even two years. Nothing can exceed the dishonesty and treachery of this conduct on the part of the incumbents ; and yet we are assured that the thing is done.