New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1868-08-01
JAMAICA.
THE ANGLo-JAMAICAN CHCRCH-HOw 1T IS SUP
PORTED-REFORMS BY SIR JOHN GRANT
AGITATION FOR ITS Observation-Disclosures.

THE ANGLo-JAMAICAN CHCRCH-HOw 1T IS SUP
PORTED-REFORMs BY SIR JOHN GRANT
AGITATION FOR IT'S DIsEsTABLIsHMENT.
From Our Special Correspondent
KINGSTON, July 9.-The topic Of the day is the
dlsestabshment Of the Anglican Church in this colony
say dsesablsbment for be it known that the Jamaica
State Church is not an endowed institution 1t holds no
property whatever, claims titles does not own
single foot of land any part Of the island The gebes
the parsonages the ecclesiastical edhces are all the
property OF the public purchased or built by public
money. The whole staff of clergyInen, BISHOP Arch
ants, the stpends OF the Deacons ana Arch
deac9ns On paT3 BENG PAD ohor e dnf Of
the Colonial Treasury. And here lies the injustice
which the maintenance Of this establishment involves.
TwOthirds least OF the people OF Jamaica dissent
from the State Church. belonging to other religious
bodies. This majority build their own churches ana Keep
repair the salaries OF their ministers, and
meet the current expenses OF their religious services
OF which is done by voluntary h sstt e
field aborers petty tradesmeD aud domostles Inc NIL
nOrty includes the partnership Of the island the mercan-
tile class the professional men, and nearly all those,
ansbp of blood with the old arjstocracy OF the colony
and this minority belong to the Established Church,
whose ministers are paid out OF the taxes 10 when tho
Dssenters with the members OF the Establish
ment are of course obliged to contribute under penalty
Nor is the expense OF supporting TINS estaDshneht
rihng affair Until Sir John Grant assumed the reins OF
Government the AnglOJamacan Church cost the country
no less sum than 100000 annually Its clergy men mum
some of the RectOrs receiving e. 900 year. while the
humblcst Citrate got not less than 81 per Then
there was the extraordinary" expenses-sueh as the
washing Of surpices. the providing the sacramentai
bread and wine, the paying OF Deades the furnishing OF
instrumental music in the churches &c one OF SIT John
Grants first acts, after coming hther was TO cut on all
these "exraordinares, insisting that the seVeI con-
celebration OF Divine service lie next expressed has de-
termination not to fill up any vacancies IN rector
ships curacies, occurring either by the death
or the departure from the island, OF incunbeDts,
until q system Of general retrenehment cOuld
carried out and during the last IS months several
vacancies from both these have been created the
number Of elergymen in the Jamaica establishment has
from being satisfied with these nsallmeBts Of reform,
and embodened by he turn things nave taken ~ e
peciay by the spirited action OF the Liberal party ia
Parliament relative the disendOwment OF the irish
Church of the Anglican establishments they are demnd
ing be relieved OF the onorous burden OF supporting
church 10 which they do not belong, and from the min
benefit whatever. The Baptists especially, numerous
body the ministers Of which are principally Engshmen'
are moving theoretically the matter and several pc
titons from them have been presented to the Legs
placing all religious bodies in the colony on
footing of perfect equality before the 90 law;
the Dlsrae ministry intend proposing iorthWth 20 Tar
Lament the 1t b 3 we Ind s and
Archdeacons have hitherto been paid and should these
diSnares be thus incOntnentlY thrown overheard by
the Imperial Government is difficult 10 see how the ia
maca establishment be kept up on the present tOo
ing The general impression here is that, the princi
pie of keeping faith with public servants, the presen
clerical incunbents In this colony viii DC guarahteeu
their salaries at reduced rates either for life or Tor GER
tain number OF years after which the Anglo Jamaican
Church will be thrown entirely upon its own resources
II we are to Judge by what the people attached to the
dissenting churches have DONE no fear need be enter
tanned that dsesablishment will lead 10 decline OF
religion i'm the colony since emancipation these poor
blacks have done nOby i'm the discharge OF Their Teg0us
obligations BY voluntary contributions out OF their hard
earnings they have built scores churches they support
in the way large number OF ministers and they SUD
scribe handsomely. beside to different associations Oh
missionary character No prouder monument, indeed Ia
the enfranchsed negro man and cltlzen-ho more
conclusive vndcaOn Of his claims to the higher attl
butes OF humanty-coud possibly be quoted than tle
lberality and zeal which the Jamaica freedman mas
shown In supporting cause which appeals for us sup,
port only to tue highest motives and the best feelings OF
which humanity is susceptible.