New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-10-24

true that there is no legislator on the
radical side who possesses the con-
structive ability requisite for working
out either disestablishment or disendow-
rnent In England. In Wales, where the
main body Of the population is Nom
conformist, the problem is more intri-
cate and perpl~ ling. In England 1t Is
utterly impracticable.
The dfsendoWmer- Of the English
Church. If any radical legislature could
ever succeed in effecting so drastic
revolution in religious usage and ancient
property rights, would leave the parish
churches and diocesan authorities I'M
der obligation to provide the f6.0OO.OOo
required for maintenance. Lord HAS
bury quoted Mr.. Gladstone's expression
of faith in the monetary resources OF
Anglicanism, but when it was uttered
the great Churchman had not fallen upon
the evil times Of surfaces on incomes.
confiscation by death duties and over
vbelnling burdens Of direct taxation.
Retrenchments might be brought about
in cathedral management and the ma
iority Of town and city parishes might
become self-supporting after Disestan-
ltshment. but rural England, with its
thousands Of village churches. could not
get on without the endowments.
Even In Its Impoverished state it now
has the beautiful churches as precious
heritage from the medieval period, and 1t
is not compelled to pay anything for the
,ninistrations of religion. The endow-
ments have come from time when land
was sold or bequeathed subject to annual
tribute to the parish, and the Wears DO
their work and the churct services go
on all the year round without hnanciaI
support from the poor cottagers ana
agricultural laborers. The great land
holders and squires have taken pride IN
the village churches, and not only kept
them in adequate repair, but have also
enlarged and enriched them with resto-
rations. All these conditions OF security
and benefcence would be transformed II
the endowment was swept away.
Independence OF parochial support has
made the country parson his own mas
ter. He receives end holds his living
without fear of being dispossessed. 1t
comes from a university, a bishop.
wealthy land owner or from some other
patron. and when he is once In his
vicarage he is a law unto himself. he
dominates his own warden and can dis
Mace him in the course OF twelve
months. II they do not agree; and be-
tween them the parish is governed. Tor
while another warden Is elected by the
neopIe he is powerless to offer resist
snce to his associate and the vicar. The
vicar orders the ritual of the church
services as he likes, and until the ex-
fst,ne education act was passed the vii
laee school was virtually under his d.
rection. and religious instruction was q
clerical detail.
When the majority OF country parsons
are High Church men, with an upward
trend more or less rapid, the suprem-
scy OF the vicarnge In doctrine, ritual
and instruction has been a source OF
widespread discomfort. This has In
creased with the transfer OF the bur-
den OF support from the patrons OF
voluntary schools TO the ratepayers
without public control over religious
teaching. The compromise in the educa-
ton controversy which the Archbishop
of Canterbury stroye earnestly to bring
about was defeated through intolerance;
tie only remedy for lawlessness I'm
ritual has been wholesome advice from
the bishops when they are powerless 20
enforce their own decisions: and there
has been gradual growth Of opinion