New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-04-08
PEERS AS PATRONS.
Lord Chesham's Difficulties scith
Ecclesiastical APpOintec.

Many British peers CT the realm and territorial
ysacnates OF the United Kingdom figure as patrons
~ liHinCs The Hvings are ecclesiastical benehces
or pasorates OF parish churches built 10y the patron
or fy his ancestors his or their land and en-
aovea by the founder These rights of patronage
Known in law as 'advowsons' inherited along
yjth the family estates and are regarded as as
sets Where the estates not entailed the ad-
voNson can be sold P separate piece Of prop
ertv The right of patronage means the right of
selecting and appointing the rector or vicar Of the
church. The bishop % the diocese. providing the
clergyman IN question fufIs the canonical qualia-
cations. is compelled to sanction the appointment
no matter how much he may personally consider
fhe nominee untitled for the post and in the event
az refusal on his part the matter constitutes the
subject of an appeal 10 ecclesiastical court
where the costs are frightfully eKtravaeant and
payable by the bishop IL the is decided against
him.
There are about 1900 beneAces of the Church Of
England. The Crown has the patronage Of about
jsON. which IS administered by the Lord High
Chancellor for the time being. The bishops and
cathedrals have the patronage Of about 1900 bene-
fees and the universities lo0o, while the remaining
re0 arc in the hands Of peers Of the realm and
land owners. that is 10 say private persons II z.
peer or land owner who has inherited the patronage
Of benehces Of this kind happens 10 he Roman
Catholic, he is deharred, by reason Of his faith.
from exercising his prerogatives In the matter Of
sppontuent. which assumed during his lifetime
by the Crown. in the person Of the Lord High
Chancellor But II the patron is a Hebrew, such
rs Lord Rothschild. Lord Wandsworth. Lord
Mcclellan. etc; a professed Buddhist. such as
lord Marlborough; detout Moslem. such as the
late Lord Stanley Of Alderley or self proclaimed
atheist. such as the late Marquis of Queensbe-ry.
there is objection whatsoever to his selecting
and appointing the rector Of the churches Of which
he enjoys the right Of patronage. and of thus as
sumng control Of the spiritual welfare of often
popuous parishes processing a faith which he
either disapproves Of or derides The late Marquis
q Aiesbury. Of the most unutterable black
guards that ever disgraced the British peerage.
who expelled from every club and subjected
10 the supreme ienoniny of being warned of the
turf by the Jockey Club Of England. who had
scarcely ever sober moment and whose ordinary
language was characterized by such profanity that
Re was known as the coster marquis was the
patron OF six Ivngs and in the Of at least two
benedoes appointed men totally untitled to under
iske the care and cure Of souls. Yet Roman Cath
ole peer Of blameless character such as. for in
stance The Duke Of Norfolk, is debarred by reason
Of his creed from his rights OF patronage over
half dozen benehces which included in his in
heritanoe and for which nominations are made by
the lord High Chancellor.
II call attention 10 this matter il is because Of
The trouble and expense TO which Lord Chesham
has lately been put in order 10 get rid OF The rec
tor Of the parish of Little Chesterton, in Rutland
shire The rector, one of Lord Chesham's sp-
pointees. became such an inyeterate drunkard that
lord Chesharn. in response 10 the clamorous ap-
peals from the inhabitants NJ the parish. found
himself morally compelled 10 get rid Of the man.
This proved a difficult and expensive process. II is
very easy 10 appoint a clergyman 10 living, but
he cannot deprived Of his benefice without legal
process. and this be accomplished only through
a full-fedged trial by the ConsistoTy Court Of the
diocese, confirmed afterward by the Court of
Arches in London. In both instances Lord Ches-
hams action was sustained, but IL cost him large
sum Of money and has taken almost two years TO
ercOr1p'ieh.