The sun., 1903-06-06
The support of Religion by Assess
ment Advocated.

A plan for providing support for the
clergy and religious agencies of the
Episcopal Church, suggested and formu-
lated in the Church Eclectic magazine by
the Rev. JOHN f. II. SIMPSON of Port
land, Oregon, has interest for Churches
generally and for the whole religious
public
Mr.. SIMPSON contends and proves that
the Episcopal Church as an organization
is in a chaotic condition so far as
concerns its financial department. Its
General Convention, meeting only once
in three years, is the ultimate authority
in all matters that relate to the Church,
but it is an unincorporated body incap-
able of holding property or administer
ing funds. The Church creates dioceses,
parishes and missions, and ordains and
commissions an army Of ministers, in
number at present about six thousand
parishes and five thousand clergy, but
as an organized body it makes no pro-
visions to meet the practical obligations
assumed by it, has no authorities to ad-
minister its temporalities, and, with
relatively insignificant exceptions, has
no temporalities to administer. No
directions are contained in its constitu-
ton or canons as to how dioceses
parishes, missions or Church institutions
are to be maintained and none as to the
support of the regular clergy Each
diocese and each parish is distinct and
fnr &c
nance. The vast preponderance of
Church property is vested in independent
parish vestres and local corporations.
The Church creates dioceses, organ
ICES parishes and ordains ministers and
then leaves them to go as they please,
or rather as they can. Instead of one
general board for the management of
Church finances there are over 5000
separate funds for the sustentation Of
the clergy and the support Of the local
churches. Clergymen are ordained and
commissioned and then left to "pck up
living as vestries are good-natured or
as ladies' guilds are loyal" People
give for the support of their own clergy
man, or their organist or sexton rather
than for the support of the Gospel p"
Theoretically. the clergyman is the au-
thoritative head of his congregation;
actually. he is its hired man, to be
directed, petted, scolded, tolerated, per-
secuted retained or got rid of at the
sweet will Of those who pay"
Here is picture Mr.. SIMPSON draws
of the resulting condition Of many of
these ministers:
In numerous Instances he docs not receive what
Is promised and when he does receive IT, II is often
a month or two In arrears. Too often the parish
clergyman is unable TO hgurc upon stated income.
and his mind is harassed and his spirit distressed
in endcavoring 10 pay for the recessares OF life.
There are instances. all around. OF cicrgymen in
volvcd in debt. through sickness or other cause.
for which they arc not responsible, who. no matter
how they work, and no matter how they save are
utterly unable to clear themselves. and have no
prospect OF clearing themselves. l can point TO
cultured ladies' the wives, daughters and sisters
OF living clergymen. whose lives are largely spent
In scrubbns. washing. sweeping and mcndlng
who take In work. or 90 out to 1t. whose present
Is overburdened with anxiety xnd care and whose
future presents no prospect OF relief II the clergy
In the United States who have suffered In this way
and are suffering, could make their sunennrs
known by n show OF hands. there would be an
amazing spectacle"
The c,cr~;'. too, compeiled to bear the
burden Of raising money for the support