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    478 Letter , by a Popular Writer , on the Discipline of the Quakers .

    Untitled Article

    to have been for a Iocg time in possession of appropriate tithes . These tithes he- inherited from his ancestors . His ancestors bought them of king Henry the eighth Henry the eighth laid out the money which he received for them ( as the taxes are frequently laid but ) in public works . The proprietor therefore sees nothing objectionable in his propriety . Now it so happens , as is

    often the case , that this lay-impropriator is obliged to pay out of his estate the salary of the vicar , who serves the church in his parish . This he does cheerfully . He has however the advantage when the vicar dies , of appointing a successor to him , which he may do if he pleases , eut of his own family , thus providing for one of his own children . Now in process of time this impropiiator becomes convinced of friends * principles generally , so as to see

    the impropriety of paying ministers for their gospel labours . In consequence of this convincement he asks for admission , and he is received into the Society , At the end of the year , or aft r his religious union with Fdends , he is called ttpon to pay the salary of the vicar . He refuses ( and this against his former u ^ age ) urging , that it is not lawful to pay those , who preach for hire . He is therefore distrained upon , and he is better satisfied with the sufferings which

    he experiences in consequence of such distraint , than he would have been with the usual payment and the dereliction of his duty . Does he not therefore in the case before us bear the testimony of a Friend ? But let us pursue the matter farther- In a short time after bearing this his first , testimony the vicar dies : —

    of course the patronage of the living belongs to him But he refuses to appoint a successor , though he might materially benefit his family by bo doing , urging in his defence as before , that he can have no concern in appointing those as ministers , who receive payment for

    their spiritual labours . He suffers therefore the living to lapse to the bishop ; in consequence of which his family sustains a considerable Io 3 s . Does he not therefore in this second case , bear his testimony also ; and this in an extraordinary manner , and Jar beyond the practice of any ordinary member ? And yet this worthy person , though he bears this extraordinary testimony , and makes

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    this extraordinary sacrifice to the interests of his family , must be disowned as the proprietor of such impropriate tithes , if his case is to be adjudged by the joot alone . Indeed I fear that the root will not support friends on this occasion I fear it will be too unstable a foundation for excluding members from the Society , who have been otherwise persons of good character , and exemplary lives .

    You will probably ask me , after this unequivocal declaration of my sentiments on the subject , how it happens that I have not stated them in my pook ; and you may perhaps charge me with a want of honest independence on the occasion . J will therefore inform ^ you candidly how it has so happened . Though I was aware when I undertook my work , that Friends had departed less

    than other people from first principles , I was aware that they were not perfect as men ; and that there were both practices and opinions in the Society , which would bear some correction ; I wa $ aware aLso , that it was the duty of an author to notice these ; and I determined to do it honestly and independently , though in the spirit of mildness and

    affection . If you will examine ray work with attention , you will see that I have done as I had proposed , except in the case of impiopriate tithes , whi < h is cow before us . My reason then for the omission in question is the following " Knowing that the Society was much divided upon this subject , 1 was fearful , lest by a public dissemination of my

    sentiments upon it , I might bring it to a public discussion among Friends before its clue time , and thus become the author of discord among a people , whom f professed , not without great sincerity , to Jove . ' The thought of this gave me much uneasiness , and I relinquished my de tgn . I cannot however help stating to you that I wish to see the day , when the Society retaining their testimony for ecclesiastical tithes only , would abolish

    that tor the other kind . That this day will come I have no doubt : I only hope that when it does , there may be no schism or separation , by which its number may be diminished . I am , respectfully , Your Friend .-T . C «

• Citation
  • Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Sept. 2, 1808, page 478, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2396/page/22/