2799. | 
by different perfons; but I fhall ftate, 
without the leaft partiality, and I hope 
without prejudice, what I conceive to be 
' the caufe of this evil fo generally diffufed 
and injurious in its tendency. 
The well-known candour and impar- 
tiality or the much efteemed Dr. Vernon 
preclude every idea, that he can be ac- 
guainted with the exzferce of this evil; 
and, were he informed of it, the great care 
and unremitting activity, with which he 
firperintends every part*of his diocefe, 
forbid to imagine he would not imme- 
diately endeavour to eradicate it. Some 
mat, perhaps, argue that the contracts 
and agreements entered into by the cu- 
yates themfelves defeat and annul what- 
ever provifions the aét had made in their 
behalf. This I partly admit to be true ; 
and the curates are blameable for making 
agreements contrary to what the law ap- 
points. But, fhould they not be inclined 
to enter into thefe contracts, fo detri- 
mental to themfelves and degrading to 
the honour of their profeffion, the incum- 
bents are able, by means of giving a 
title for orders, to obtain a curate almoft 
upon any conditions they fhall think pro- 
per to propofe. Awnd this I apprehend 
to be the true fource from whence the 
evil originates. ~It was lately obferved 
by a beneficed clergyman, in my hearing, 
who was contracting with a curate to 
perform the duty of his church, « If 
you will not agree to accept the fum I 
have offered you, I can have a perfon 
ordained to the living, who will accept 
it.” Such are too often the language 
and the aétions of the reétors and vicars 
towards the curates. Far, however, be 
it from me, to cenfure a whole body of 
men for the meannefs of a few. There 
are! amongft them, who, TI am proud to 
fay it, feorn the low artifices of thofe 
that would reduce to mifery and diftrefs 
men, whofe talents, deportment, and affi- 
duity in their profeffion, entitle them to 
évery claim of encouragement and re- 
fpeét. as j 
I know with certainty, that the bifhop 
of Carlifle allows every. one, who is or- 
dained, twenty-five pounds. per annum, 
fpecified in his licence; but I alfo know, 
with an equal degree of certainty, that a 
private agreement is frequently made be- 
tween the parties themfelves, of a nature 
entirely different, and to the difadvantage 
ot the curate. » Infomuch that I will not 
fay, zo perfons ever receive twenty-five 
pounds a year, for performing the duty 
of the church to’ which they are ordain- 
Mr. Robinfonon the Maintenance of Curates. 
849 
ed; but I dare aver that wery fer re+ 
ceive it*, 
Nor let any one imagine, that the cu- 
rates have greater falaries-in fome of the 
more fouthern counties. Iam acquaint-, 
ed with a clergyman in. Lincolnfhire, 
who ferves four churches for {fixty pounds 
ayear, And, I doubt ‘not, many in- 
{tances of a fimilar nature will occur jn 7 
that and other diocefes, difyracetul in 
themfelves and derogatory to the maft 
eflentiad interefts of chriftianity. 
Ata time, therefore, that chriftianity 
is attacked on all fides by every weapon, 
which infidelity and {cepticifm are capa- 
ble of furnifhing ; and, when thofe who 
are enemies to our religion, are. for the 
mot part inimical to our civil governs 
ment; it is certainly requifite in the 
Hicheft degree, whether taken in a reli- 
gious or political view, to infufe vigour 
into the minds of the inferior clergy, by 
giving every due attention to the bill in- 
tended for their relief, and by making 
their fituations comfortable, and them re- . 
fpe€table in the eyes of their people. 
If in any part of the foregoing letter E 
fhall be found to have mitrepretented the 
tate of this or other dioceies, with re- 
pect to the curacies, it is not only fo- 
Yeign to my wifhes and intention, but is 
more than at prefent I am confcious of. 
My only defign herein was to point out an 
evil, that called loudly for redrefs. And, 
if I have erred in any of my affertions, I 
fhall, however, have the confolation to 
fupport me, that this error was unin- 
tentional. 
' Ravenftonedale. JoHNn Rosinson. 
cot pa 
To the Editor of the Monthly Magazine. 
SIR, 
FEEL as a min ought to feel for the 
Jt. people of Philadephia, fuffering either 
under the aétual {courge, or the terrifying 
expeC@tancy of the yellow fever, a malady, 
which may, and, perhaps, ought to be 

* ¢¢ By the general grant of licences, and 
a transfer or indorfement on removal to other 
parifhes within the-fame diocefe 5 by fuf- 
fering no curates to officiate without licenfes, | 
except occafionally in the abfence of the 
proper curates or perfons regularly perform-~ 
ing the duties of any parifhes; a check 
would be always at hand to difcover the pro- ' 
priety or impropriety of nominations or titles 
for ordexs, and the diocefan would thereby 
at all times .underftand how far fuch nomi- 
nations or titles correfponded with the pur- 
pokes for which they profefs to be given.” 
Curatcs AG examined, p. 35. 
termed 
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