The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1852-11-23 00:00:00

ADDITIONAL CURATES' SOCIETY.

The annual meeting of the Society for Promoting the
Employment of Additional Curates in Populous Places,
took place yesterday, in the Savings' Bank. The Lord
BISHOP of the DIOCESE occupied the chair, and amongst
those present wenoticed the Ven. Archdeacon Brooks,Rev.
Rector Campbell, Hon. and Rev. Horace Powys (War-
rington), the Revs. E. Ashton, R. Leinster, W. Hesketh,
W. Crossfield, J. T. Hecker. J. Hall, J. Stewart. G. W.
Warre, W. Appleton, W. Badnall, C. H. Burton, T. P,
Kirk, G. Vallancey, G. Dover, J. B. Monk, J. Hughes,
(Congleton,) W. Powley, T. G. Leigh, J. Hughes, Z.
Barry, H. H. Higgins, C. Wray, Joseph Taylor, (Stock-
port,) George J. Banner, J. Hughes, T. Carter, and W. R.
Duncan ; H. W. Banner, J. B. Braneker, E. G. Deane,
Elias Arnaud, Harmood Banner, and C. Groves, Esqrs.
After prayer by the Rev. A. J. Tomlin, the Diocesan
Secretary,
His LORDSHIP said they had met together for the pur-
pose of hearing the report of the secretary for one branch
of the Society for Promoting the Employment of Addi-
tional Curates in Populous Places. It afforded him
very great pleasure to see so many of the clergy
and laity present to testify their good will, and,
he hoped, to take a more lively interest and to give
a warmer support to the society, although it had
already met with very considerable patronage in the
diocese. There certainly had been one most noble ex-
ample set them by a clergyman in the diocese, which he
hoped would be followed, although it probaby could not
to the same extent. His Lordship would not occupy
their time further, but should call upon the secretary to
read the report.
The SECRETARY then read the following report :
REPORT.

In presenting the first report of the Chester Diocesan
Association of the Society for Promoting the Employ-
ment of Additional Curates, it will only be necessary to
state the leading facts connected with the society's opera-
tions, in order to make the most forcible appeal to every
christian mind. _ .

From the annual report of the parent society, it would
appear that the grants of the former year have been main-
tained with a few modifications. The number of curates
on the list is 298, ministering to a population of about
2,300,000. The total amount of the society's ordinary
income has remained nearly stationery, £15,464. Bs. 2d.
(of which £922. 13s. 11d. is restricted under the society's
sixth rule) having been expended in the salaries of addi-
tional curates. A very small sum had been received dur-
ing the year in donations, or legacies, a source of income
which in former years averaged about £3,000, and this
deficiency rendered necessary the sale of a small part of
the society's funded property. It is, however, highiy
gratifying to find that, during the quarter ending at
Michaelmas, the Rev. Dr. Warneford had placed the sum
of £5,000 in the hands of the trustees as an augmentation
of the society's permanent fund, the interest only being
applicable to the society's general purposes.
It is surely a very solemn and significant fact, telling
most plainly the present spiritual destitution of the popu-
lation of our large towns, that no less than 150 amended
applications are now before the committee, and it may be
asserted with safety that very many annuitants are re-
strained from applying for aid, whilst others have with-
drawn their appeals, because the probabilities of assist-
ance are so small. Attention is invited to the smallness
of the aid sought in many instances, £2O or £3O a year
only being requisite to complete subscriptions raised
locally by the laity, who are fully conscious of their need
of further spiritual culture.
If now we turn our attention to the operations of our
own Diocesan Association, we find that the number of
grants made in this diocese is 22, at an expense to the
society of £1254 per annum. The total population thus
supplied with the means of grace is 165,647. The sum
raised in the diocese is £603 lls. sd. If, therefore, we
have reason to be thankful that the income of the society
drawn from the diocese has been increased this year about
£2OO, it must not be forgotten that the sum of £620 is
still conferred by the society ; and it is earnestly to be
hoped Cast strenuous efforts will be made to diminish our
obligations at a time when the general fund is exhausted,
and urgent cases are denied relief.
Liverpool has always been the largest contributor to the
good work, and the income of the society has been in-
creased this year both for general and local purposes.
Four curates on the society's list are now ministering
amongst a population of 53,342 souls in this town ; and,
through the liberality ofJohn Naylor, Esq., and the other
contributors to our local fund, the number of curates will
be increased to seven. The fund of £2OO is now nearly
completed, by the assistance of various annual Church
collections. It is, however, very desirable that the total
amount of £4OO should be completed by annual subscrip-
tions as soon as possible, to enable Mr. Naylor to apply
his subscription to other useful purposes, and to give the
fund a more permanent character. A proposal will
therefore be made to subscribers, which, if carried into
effect, would naturally assist the committee ; and it is
hoped that their friends will not find the task burdensome,
when the labour is thus divided.

One branch of the society's operations may, perhaps,
be deserving of special notice, at a period when the pecu-
niary wants of incumbents are attracting attention, no
less than their need of clerical assistants, and when the
advantages of affording increased free accommodation in
church for the working classes is becoming apparent.
The majority of the population can ill afford to pay for
sittings, the rents of which the incumbents cannot possi-
bly afford to relinquish without an equivalent, and hence
many district churches do not reach their truest use.
From its endowment fund the Parish Society has
already secured to 41 parishes, the permanet services of
resident clergy, by making grants within certain limits,
proportionate to sums locally contributed. The committee
venture to call attention to this important department of
the society's labours, with a vie N to rendering district
churches more effective by gradually increasing the pro-
portion of free accommodation for the working classes.
By what means the requisite sum might be obtained most
easily by donations, by subscriptions of smaller amount, or
by a continuoussystem of colllections in churches, is a ques-
tion which must be left to the discretion of the friends of the
society, according to local and other circumstances. Already
a statement respecting St. Barnabas' Church has led to
the offer of a donation, to form the nucleus of an endow-
ment fund ; and it is hoped that many who have the real
interests of the church at heart will unite in the endeavour
to accomplish the double object of securing to the clergy
a more adequate remuneration, and, to the industrious
classes, the opportunity of worshipping God free of charge,
—that, so, the Church of England may maintain her boast
of being the poor man's church in crowded towns, as well
as in scattered hamlets.

The Venerable Archdeacon BROOKS rose to propose the
first resolution, " that the report be adopted, printed, and
circulated." He had no doubt they would all agree with
the report, as it contained a plain and simple statement of
facts ; and probably they would also agree with him that
unless it was printed and circulated it would be useless.
He should only say a few words on the subject,—and first,
it was a matter of congratulation that at least the society
had not receded, whilst, on the other hand, it was a matter
of deep regret that there should be so many as one
hundred and fifty applicants for whom they were unable
to provide. (Hear, hear.) This should stimulate to
greater exertions. He also regtetted that they had been
obliged to sell out some portion (he hoped only a small
portion) of their funded property. That should stimulate
them to use every exertion to obtain further
subscriptions, more especially when so large a portion
of the funds of the society as one-twelfth part
was appropriated to this diocese. (Cheers.) No
doubt the diocese was populous, and it was only natu-
ral to suppose that there should be a large sum given to
it ; but still, after having received so large a sum as
£1,200 during the past year, he could not help saying
they had not done as much as they ought towards the
support of so excellent an institution. If it was true that
it was the most populous, it was also true that it was the
wealthiest—(cheers ;)—and he (the venerable archdeacon)
had been so long in this town, and knew so much of the
generosity of the inhabitants of the town and neighbour-
hood, that he thought when these facts became known
throughout the diocese, they would not again have reason
to regret the state of the society. (Cheers.)
The motion was seconded by Mr. J. B. BRANCKER, and
carried unanimously.
The Hon. and Rev. HORACE POWYS, rector of War-
rington, proposed the next resolution, which was as fol-
lows :—" That with the approval of the diocesan, and
with the co-operation of the archdeacons and rural deans
in their respective archdeaconries and deaneries, or with
their permission, an appeal be made throughout the
diocese, with the view of obtaining increased con-
tributions, so as to meet more effectually the
present exigencies of the society." He was much
gratified to be present at a meeting of the diocese,
presided over by his Lordship, but regretted much
that a society, being, as it was, a Church Society,
having a noble object in view, was not better supported.
In coming to the meeting he could not but express his
surprise, as well as his disappointment, at the attendance.
He had come over to Liverpool in the expectation of
seeing a great diocesan meeting. Certainly, he flattered
himself that he was going to attend a meeting of a large
body of clergymen in the diocese of Chester, as well as a
considerable number of laymen, but so far from this,
on looking around him he counted about forty-one
clergymen and only a very few members of the laity.
He recommended that the clergy should be invited by their
diocesan to use their best exertions in behalf of all societies
founded on Church principles, and connected with the
constitution of the Church. (Cheers.) He was told that
there were 450 incumbenCies in the diocese, and the sum
raised from all those did not quite reach, on an average,
30s. each. He thought, if the clergy generally would use
theirexertions, such a society would be properly supported,
and he hoped they would not have reason to complain of
want of funds. Within the last 48 hours he had been
told that a layman had offered, if one large parish was
divided, to give the large sum of £5,000 towards an endow-
ment fund. (Cheers.) He had no doubt, from what he had
heard, that the laymen of this town and neighbourhood would
be induced to give largely and liberally, finding that their
donations would be properly appropriated by the officers
of the Church. The hon. speaker pointed out one mode
of increasing subscriptions, that weekly collections should
be made in accordance with the rubric. He had adopted
the plan with the consent of the laity attending his own
parish church, and the result was, that never, during the
twenty-four years he had been in the parish, had he had
so much peace and had never realized so much money.
His plan was at the beginning of the year to give notice
of the Sundays upon which the collections would be
appropriated, and to the different church societies, so that
those who wished to give to any particular society could
save their contributions for it. After handing over the
collections to the societies in the manner described, the
rest was appropriated to the poor and for the support of
the schools. (Cheers.)
Mr. E. ARNAUD, after observing that he believed they

were taking a step in the right direction, and expressing
a hope that the society would receive additional support,
concluded by seconding the motion.
The motion was then put by his lordship, and carried
unanimously.
Mr. HARMOOD BANNER moved the next rosolutiion :
" That further efforts be made in Liverpool by inviting
the clergy to give annual collections on some convenient
day, and that the present subscribers be entreated to as-
sist in obtaining fresh subscriptions, by inducing their
friends to add their contributions to the list." He had
no doubt, from the handsome manner in which the clergy
had responded to calls which he had made upon them in
matters in which he had taken a warm interest, that they

would readily comply with the terms of the first portion
of the resolution, and arrange for collections in their
churches, when they considered the objects which the
society had in view. He had also every confidence in the
laity rendering them every assistance. Business had no
doubt prevented the attendance of many of the laity, but
he had every confidence that, when the report which had
been laid before them, they would not be found wanting
in their support of such an excellent object, for the pro-
motion of which the present meeting had been called.
The Rev. C. H. BURTNO, incumbent of St. Philip's, in
this town, seconded the motion, and suggested that, in
order to make the proposed collections in the churches
available for the purposes of the society, they should take
places simultaneously in all the churches. There were
now so many collections for different objects, that the
clergy experienced great difficulty in obtaining contribu-
tions to them all. _

The resolution was passed unanimously.
The Rev. Rector CANIPBELL next came forward to pro-
pose the fourth resolution, which was as follows :—"That
this meeting is desirous of directing attention to the en-
dowment fund connected with this society, and to the
importance of endeavouring to provide permanent endow-
ments for churches, with a view to increase the free ac-
commodation in them for the working classes."
Before he proceeded to the consideration of the resolution
which he had just read, lie wished to say two or three
words on what had been remarked by his friend Mr.
Powis, who always expressed himself with strong feelings
of sincerity and zeal. With reference to the attendance
at the present meeting, his experience taught him that
they could not reasonably expect the laity of the town of
Liverpool, to attend such meetings in any large numbers,
at that hour of the day, but he was quite satisfied that,
although they might not he with them in body, they were
there in spirit. (Hear, hear.) With respect to the clergy
of the diocese who were absent, excuses had been sent
from several clergymen who were prevented from at-
tending by prior engagements, and other causes. Amongst
the letters sent from those who could not attend, the four
canons had sent excuses of this nature, but though they
were unable to be present, some of them had forwarded
their subscriptions. (Hear, hear.) [Letters expressing
their inability to attend, had also been received from the
Rev. J. G. Hopwood, of Knowsley,the Rev. J. Jones, and
the Rev. R. Gwillym, rural deans, and several other cler-
gymen.] With regard to the society itself, he did not think
it necessary to say much in its praise. The voluntary
system, as a national system, had been proved to be
a failure, and must continue to be so until the members of
the Church of England became more alive to their
responsibilities as churchmen than they seemed to be at
present. Not that he wished to make any remarks preju-
dicial to the voluntary system. In proof of what was
done amongst dissenters, he might inform the meeting
that a dissenting friend of his, on whom he could rely,
informed him the other day that at the chapel which he
frequented they raised for their minister and the purposes
of the chapel, no less a sum than £l2OO a year, and this
sum was so raised by a species of ballot. The money
was put into a box, and at the end of the year the box
was opened, when there was last year found in it the sum
of £1,200, without a single name attached to it. The
gentleman told him (Mr. Campbell) that they gave their
minister £lOO a year, and were ready to increase it, as his
family increased. He named this as an argument to
stimulate their friends in the Church, and would say to
them, in the language of Scripture, " Go and do ye like-
wise." If one dissenting congregation in Liverpool could
raise this sam annually, surely the Churchmen of Liver-
pool ought to be able to do the same for the Chester
Diocesan Society. (Hear.) Although, however, he had
named this fact, he did not say that it was an argument
in favour of the voluntary system. There was no doubt
that the voluntary system was generally successful in
populous localities, and where there were popular
preachers; but all localities were not wealthy; and
there were not always popular preachers amongst
them. Their ministers were not all gifted, as some
were, with a great measure of heavenly eloquence ;
and therefore it was that the voluntary system, and dis-
senting congregations, were not generally to be found in
the poorer parts of the town, but in the neighbourhoods
of the wealthy. The poet had said—" The vine loves
the hill ;" and so the voluntary system and dissent loved
the high places amongst men, where it might bask in the
sunshine of wealth, and so it came to this that the poor
were left to the tender mercies of the Church of England
and the inroads of the Church of Rome. He need
scarcely say that all this was a powerful argument for the
members of the Church of England to provide for their
poorer brethren. This he would say, that what Dr.
Wiseman had called the slums of the great towns, ought
to be more closely attended to by the members of the
Church of England ; and Dr. Wiseman ought not to be
allowed to carry into those districts the chaff of human
tradition, whilst the ministers of our own pure church
could feed them with the wheat of religious truth.
( Hear, hear).
The Rev. JOHN STEWART seconded the motion, and
warmly urged extensive free accommodation being
provided for the poor in the different churches in the
town. _ _

The resolution having been caraied unanimously
Mr. Churchwarden BANNER proposed, and Mr. E. C.
DEANE seconded, the following resolution :—" That the
cordial thanks of this meeting be presented to the
diocesan, for his kindness in presiding." The resolution
was carried with much applause.
The Right Rev. CHAIRMAN, in acknowledging the com-
pliment, paid a high compliment to the liberality of the
Liverpool public in supporting religious objects. With
reference to what had been said by Mr. Powys, as to the
best means of the clergy procuring efficient aid to the so.
ciety from the laity, and the suggestion that he threw out
that he (the bishop) should issue orders to the clergy, he
might remark that it was not in his power to give any
orders to the clergy for such an object, and perhaps he
might observe that it was a power about which he should
entertain very great doubts in exercising, if it was even
entrusted to him. He hoped that all his clergy would
feel that they had not only his approbation and good will
for the success of the society, but he also hoped that they
would make use of their pulpits towards its support,
judging themselves for the best according to local circum-
stances which came before them. The same rule could not,
of course, be applied to every church and every locality, but
he could not suppose that it was deemed necessary that
he should be looked to in order to make the voices of the
clergy heard in their own pulpits, in aid of the society
whenever they might think that local circumstances justi-
fied it. It must not be considered that any such autho-
rity was required from him. He considered that this
diacese peculiarly called for the assistance of such a society
as the one they were met to promote, for it was in the
midst of a large population, amongst which both churches
and clergymen were much wanted to visit the poor, which
was the only effectual way of bringing them to the church.
He did therefore hope that this society would commend
itself both to the clergy and the laity, and that when they
met again they should have a great increase both of funds
and members. With respect to the permanent endow-
ment of churches, he very much approved of it, and he
suggested that in any new churches to be built,
the society should make provision for their per-
manent endowment. (Hear, hear. He was not
going to open the question of the voluntary system ;
but he did think that there should be something more
certain for the endowment of churches than appeals to the
different congregations. At present the clergy, to a great
extent. had to depend for their incomes upon pew-rents ;
but it so happened that the poor had not the means of
paying pew-rents, and therefore it was exceedingly desi-
rable to provide a permanent endowment fund. After
again expressing himself warmly in favour of the suc-
cessful operations of the society, the right rev. prelate
dissolved the meeting by pronouncing the benediction.