The Sun.
London, England, 1826-01-28 00:00:00

ST. (NAVE'S, HART-STREET.

A Vestry Meeting, on the subject of- Tithes
was on Thursday held, for the purpose Of taking into consi-
deration some imporutnt correspondence between the Tithe
Committee and the Bishop of London ; but before the time
appointed t'or the commencement of business, Dr. Owen, the
rector, catered the room.
Mr. NODIN-1 mite the liberty of movin,g, that one of the
Churchwardens do take the chair.

Before this Kotion count be ontertained Dr. Owen walked
up to the chair, seated himself down upon it, and deliberately
opened the Vestry-book that was before
Mr. NODIM-1 suppose, then, that you consider yourself
entitled to.take the chair, under the Act of Parliament ?—Dr.
OwEN_To be sure I do.
One of the Parishioners here addressed Dr. Owen in a tone
•of4ernonstrance, and said that it Would, be -necessary, ,in the
'course of-the proceedings, to investigate his conduct. It would
be extremely painful to their feelings to state things in his pre-
sence which reflected on his conduct ; but it might be neces.
• sary, and if they • were compelled, why it would be .his own
fault; he must take the consequences.
Dr. Owux-1 don't understand you ; why we are friends ;
we are rowing in the same boat; we have agreed upon every
thing, and the only opponent to our wishes is the Bishdp.—
Why • any thing secret ? Why any thing to be kept back from
me ? it is of no use my . being away; I shall know all that
passes.
Mr. NODIN.L-We want indemnity for the past, and secu-
rity for the future;, we deny you are rowing in the same boat.
Mr. Nodin then aluded to a letter which had appeared in the
papers in the name of M`Doughall, which reflected on the con-
duct of a respectable and opulent parishioner, whom he men-
tioned as " one Howell." Now this hostile letter must have
come from the Doctor himself.

Dr. OwEm • (as we then understood him) admitted this
letter came to him, enclosed in one which called upon him to
assist in repelling the attacks which were made upon church
property.
A Parishioner begged to ask whether the Doctor bad not
subscribed in support of the objects of this alliance? •
Dr. ()limit said he -had, hut not himself singly. lie had
subscribed before the proceedings in this case took place, but he
declared he. had not subscribed one farthing subsequently.
Mr. NODIN said the rector had so often gone from his word,
that they could not trust him.
Dr. OIVEN—We will at once put an end to this. If you sus-
pect my intentions, I will immediately sign any paper that you
wish, that will bind me to the auto we have. agreed upon.
Mr. NODIN----The parish will not run from their words; they
wilt pay what they have agreed upon, if the intended bill gets
through Parliament, •

Dr. OWEN—OId if my annuity is to depend upon the bill
getting through Parliament, that is another question. In that
case, my agreement is void.
i%lr. Tu ;Amen said, it was impossible for the parish to de-
part from its agreement ; and he wished to inquire of the rec-
tor,, whether, if they inserted a clause. to secure him an annuity,
he would oppose it or interfere?
Dr. OwEN—Certainly not, unless the Legislature should in-
terfere, to fix some otter sum.

Mr. Tr thoot—What, if they should interfere to,give you
2,500/. ? Dr. Owen—That is not likely.—(A laugh.)
Mr. Alonaaar, the wine-merchant, of Crutchedfriars,
then rose, and claimed the indulgence of the Meeting. He
had long been deterred front cooling there anti delivering his
sentiments, as i.e did not choose to encounter the virulence of
those who were in hostile array against their excellent Rector
who now xo properly presided. The persons who opposed
him might be divided into three classes : the first were those
who could hot be supposed to have any interest m the wel.
fare of the Church, since they never attended it; the second
were those Who dissented front its doctrines, and who were
its enemies; and surely they were not the persons front whom
the sentiments of the parish at large could be supposed to
emanate the third was, of those of the congregation who,
for the gratification of their own vindictive spirit of per.
tonal revenge, had dared to tura their backs on their altar,
their religion, and their God. They had refused, like the
deaf adder, to listen to the voiceof the charmer. They had
afterwards disseminated a pamphlet, in the shape of a false
and scandalous letter, in which it was falsely asserted that the
income of the Doctor was 2,200/. Ile then took out a pam-
phlet and tore it to pieces, saying that it had hitherto only been
rescued front the flames, in order that he might have an op.
portunity of shewing thus publicly his contempt for it. If
the Rector had condescended, from his high situation, to
notice this production, how must they have hidden their diuri.
niched heads before his powerful talent ? But the curse of
slander still clung to it. There was only one good course left
them to pursue—namely, to make an honourable retreat ; but
if they were inclined to make a reparation for the wounds
they had inflicted, he would recommend them to purchase a
handsome piece of plate, with Which to present him, and on it
to engrave a figure of Repentance. He trusted the friends of
the Doctor bad rather increased than diminished: for one, he
considered that the stipend of the Rector ought to be increased
than otherwise ; his super-human eloquence entitled him to it;
they owed hint a debtof gratitude which nothing mortal could
sansfy.—(llear ! )
A Parishioner—Mr. Morgan only pays him a shilling in the
pounti.—(A laugh.)
Mr. ROLPJI said, that as he bad been personally alluded
to, and as his letter on this subject had been attacked with vi-
rulent epithets, and only epithets, he should claim the liberty
of inciting a fearless reply. When the almost single advocate
of Dr. Owen (Mr. Morgan) crone forward and abused the op.
ponents to the exaction, and stated that they were unworthy of
attention because they were Dissenters, he (Mr. Rolph) would
ask, who bad so much right to express their opinions as those
Dissenters; Was it not enough that they paid voluntarily to
, the support of a clergy whom they conscientiously believed to
be the preachers of the truth? Was it not enough that they
were compelled to submit to restrictions which were. contrary
to liberty of opinion ; but that they must be compelled to
pay for the maintenance of those who propagated doctrines
inimical to their own, and that, too, at a most exorbitant rate ?
—(cleer, hear, hear!)—But the representation was false the
majority who opposed the exaction were members of the
Established Church, which was so melt disgraced by these
foul exactions.—(houd cheering.)—As to the charge of turning
their backs upon their religion, it was untrue. They did not
like to see these acts, which contravened its first principles;
they did not like to go to church and hear, though his elo.
quence might be " superhuman," preachina against the ac.
cumulation of Mammon, pride, and extortion, and a love for
the things of this world, whose whole life was one continual
straggle for them by every means in his power. In igoorance,
Mr. Morgan had asserted that a calumnious pamphlet hat
been circulated by the inhabitants, whom he denominated fac-
tious. Now that pamphlet had been circulated by -himself
(Alr. Ralph) alone, at his own charge. It wag said by Alr.
Morgan that it contained a falsehood in stating the Doc-
tor's income at 2,2001. per annum. This charge was a mere
quibble. The doctor's income was nominally' 1,8201., but then
he let out his rectory
house in counting infuses, he had his cur.
pike fees, and all his clerical emoluments over and above.—
(Hear, hear!)—Now lie (Mr. Rolph) had taken the pains to
look into the authorities, and make some research as to this
living, which were not only curious in themselves as showing
the progress of die church, but would illustrate the history of
many other places where similar demands were made. The
first valuation of this living that could be found, according to
Stow, " before the wars anti casualties," was 541. per annum.
In 1834 the clergy of London petitioned for an Increase of
tithes, and stated in that petition that many of the benefices
were riot worth 401. per annum, and the very highest not worth
100/. In 1866 an Act was passed owing to the Fire of London,
whereby the aunts that each parish should respectively pay to
the Maintenance of the ministry was passed. This Act conti.
Hued in force antil 1804, when, in consequence of u. petition
front the London clergy to Parliament, an addition was made
to their former allowances ; and it was riot a little singular that
the very highest salary fixed was 3081. 135., and paid per an.
num. Now, in 1530, according to Neweourtee " Repertorium,"
the value of this living was but 1201. per annum, without a par-
tionge house; although there were 15 more houses in the parish
during the late Dr. Owen's life-time (and he was rector for 35
years) the highest salary that Ile received was front 2501. to 3001.
per minutia—(llear, hear!)--Was it reasonable, therefore, to
suppose that the parishioners could be content with the excessive
and exorbitant rate levied by the present rector ? The father of
the present rector (Dr. Owen), according to Malcolm, was so
virtuous and learned, that the parishioners and the public, in
respect and admiration of his qualities, generously subscribed
1,0001. for a poathumous volume of his sermons, which was
publiehed in 1797, for the benefit of his daughters. "Think
you," said the speaker, " that the public would subscribe 1000/,
for the evidence delivered by the present rector, before a Coin.
tuittee of the !louse of Commons, in 1821, on the Vagrant
haws ?—(Bear, hear, and cheers.)-1' request of you to get
that evidence, and campare It with the posthumous volume of sermons of the format rector; and perkapa gentlemen
might then solve the problem, why they paid the former rec.
(with great warmth)—What dq you mean
by that
tor 2501. per annum, and are compelled. to pay the
rector
br. ,
v2:IN.
Sir ? Explain yourself; not submit to it.
Mr. Rcialm —I shall give no explanation ; I have stated
facts, anti leave the meeting to draw their conclusions.
that Dr. OVVEN—Explai4 yuuPself, Sir; what do you mean by
inueruio -
Mr. Roaaer.—l have eaid.nothing which should call for
this. •

Dr. OfvEW.—You arc a Paltry fellow ; what do you mean
by it, Sir ? you are no man; I never
regretted tin this day

that' wore a blank coat.-4Flere great tumult arose.)-('To.
Mr. Rolph, with great warmth,) You are a paltry fellow—a
wretch.
Dr. Rot.rx.—Do not put yourself in such a passion, doctor.
Dr. OwEg.—That evidence did me immortal honour; Mr.
Chetwynd and Sir Thomas Baring told me so.
Mr. Rotris—.‘Vell, I did not say it did not ; I met Iy re-
commended the .gentle' en to read and judge for themselves.
hut if it did yon immortal honour doctor, why be offended
with me for mentioning it ?
Dr. OwEN.—You are a/paltry fellow.:--(Great tumult.)
Seteral of thelpariallioners here callq the Rector to order,
and one of them contended, that every person had an undoubt.
ed right to refer to printed-documents from the House of
Commons, if they thought fit to Illustrate an argument by
them.
Dr. On-Ex.—Ape but what business has lie to attack my
public conduct as a :Magistrate ? They have nothing to tdo
with that here.
Mr.NoDi N.—A nd it was very properly introduced here,
as it tended to show what they had to expect from heir Rector,
and formed a link of the cham of his public condtfct.
Something like order was restored, when Mr. Ror.Pti cons
filmed at considerable length, and in conclusion conjured them
not to be overawed by any insolent domination ; but, as they
valued their own property, and the welfare of posterity, to re-
sist, with all their might, the efforts to perpetuate so unjust and
intolerable a burden.—(Cheers..)
The Secretary to the Tithe Committee then read a long letter
which had been sent to the Bishop of London. In settling the
disputes of this parish, his Lordship had stated his intention to
adopt the rental by which the income of the Rector of Bishops.
gate had been determined. The letter from the Committee to
his Lordship went into a series of calculations to show that the
comparative rental of this parish, .in comparison with that of
Bishopsgate, had been greatly misrepresented to his Lordship.
To this letter the,following answer had been returned
Fulham, Jan. 19.
Sin—. The rental by which the payment to the rector of 13i-
shopsgate was detertnined is that on which he received his
tithes. 1 take the same standard of talue with respect to St.
Olave's, Hart-street, and am satisfied that an arrangement
framed on this basis would be much for the advantage of the
parishioners. But as you inform me that they are of a different
opinion, and the benefit to be obtained is altogether prospec-
tive. it may perhaps be advisable to let the matter rest, more es-
pecially considering the difficulty of satisfactorily explaining in
Parliament the very unusual proposition of reducing the value
of the living to future incumbents below the sum actually re-
ceived by the present incumbent, and secured to him for the
term of his incumbency. I remain, Sir, -
Your obedient humble Servant,
W. LONDON.
E. 11. Jones, Esq., Chairman of the Committee
of St. Olave's, Hart-street.
A long and stormy debate then ensued. A letter from ths!
Committee to the Bishop, stating their willingness to fillet
every condition that bad been proposed,by them as to a settle-
ment, on terms similar to those of Bishopegate parish, who!'
taken at a propel rental, was read. This letter was approved
of by the Vestry, and ordered to be sent. It was also resolved,
that every effort to prevail on the Lord Bishop to interfere.
and thereby settle the disputes that agitated the parish,had been
unsuccessful, although the parish were willing to secure to the
rector the enormous income which he at present received, pro-
vided the provision for the future incumbent was placed 00°1
equitable basis, consistent with the extent and population 0.
the parish ; that nothing was lett to them but an appeal to
Parliament, and they required the Tithe Committee to peps
a petition for the purpose.
These proceedings were carried with only
voices. Thanks were given to the Tithe Committee, And the
meeting separated without paying the usual compliment to thd
Chairman. two dissentient