The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1894-01-17

Iish Curatc In the Eighteenth Century.
Extracts From Diary which Tell Dis
NAL Tale of Privation.
A great deal is heard from time to
lime about the underpaid clergy. 1t
has been recently said by an English
writer that there are many clerks in
holy orders who receive less than clerks
in linen Diapers shops" This is es-
pecially true in Europe, where the cler-
gy, or at least the curates, are paid
such miserably poor stipends that but
for the generosity of the parishioners
they could not live.
In the United States, too, the clergy
man, usually a college bred man of tai
ents and refinement, receives n salary
altogether out of proportion to his call
ing and his ability. This remark does
not apply to the clergy in the large cit
les, to many of whom are paid very
large salaries. In New York city, for
example, it is said that there are 100
ministers who receive salaries of s10,-
900, and many of them have rectories or
parish houses free in addition. But
in the country towns, east and west
alike, the minister who gets So, 900 is q
rare exception. Many, perhaps the ma
jority, do not receive as much as 81 900.
While the reflection may not prove of
tangible benefit to these underpaid serv-
ants in the highest of callings, still 1t
is interesting to know that in social
and in a financial way, and in the self
respect consequent upon these condi-
tions, the clergyman of today is vastly
better off than the chaplain or curate
of a century ago. In point Of abject
poverty there are no Wears Of Wake.
field today, nor any chaplains who fig
ure as testers or buffoons, as did many
of the more favored ones of Goldsmith q
day.
The following extract from The Gen.
tleman's Magazine of 1855 shows how
poor was tho lot of the curate of that
time;
"Monday--Received $40 from my
rector, being one-half years salary;
obliged 30 wait a long time before my
admittance to the doctor, and even
when admitted was never once asked
to sit down or refresh myself, though
had walked IL miles. Item-The doc.
tor hinted he could have the cuncy fill.
ed for G15 year.
"Tuesday-Paid GO to seven differ.
ent people, but could not buy the sec
ondhand pair of black breeches offered
mo as great bargain, my wife want
ing a petticoat above all things, and
neither Betsy nor Polly having a sho,
to go to church.
"Wednesday-My wife bought pet
ticoat for herself and shoes for her tive
daughters, but unluckily, in coming
home, dropped half guinea through |
hole which she had never before per
ceived in her pocket and reduced al
our cash in the world to half a crown
Hem-Chid my poor woman for being
afflicted at the misfortune and tenderl,
advised her to depend upon the good
| ness of God
"Thursday-Received a note from
tins alehouse at the top of the hill, in
forming me that gentleman begged
to speak to me on pressing business
Went and found it was an unfortunat,
member Of a strolling company of play
ers, who was pledged for sevenpenc,
half penny. In struggle what to do
The baker, though we had paid him bu
on Tuesday, quarreled with us, to avoit
giving any credit in future, and tn,
butcher sent us word that he heard i
whispered how the rector intended I,
take a curate who would do the parisl
duty at an inferior price, and therefore
though he would do anything to serv'
me, advised me to deal at the upper enc
of the town. Mortifying reflection
these. but a want of humility is, in m,
opinion, want of Justice. THE Fathe
of the universe lends his blessings {,
us, with view that we should reliev,
one another, and we consequently d.
no more than pay debt when we per
form an act of benevolence. Paid tn,
strangers reckoning out of the shilling
in my pocket and gave him the re-
mainder of the money to prosecute his
| journey.
"Friday-A very scant dinner, ani
pretended therefore TO be i'll, that, by
avoiding to eat, might leave some
thing like enough for my poor wife and
children. | told my wife what had
done with the shilling; the excellent
creature, instead of blaming me for the
action, blessed tho goodness of my
heart and burst into tears. Men,
Never to contradict her as long as
live for fha mind that can arVua like