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those cases occurred at Dolgelly , in i \ Ierionethshire . A letter -from Dudley states , that within the last month , even in these times , twenty persons , wretched In poverty , have been summoned tip for arrears of these Easter dues , before the
very Clergyman ( though not a magistrate ) by whom the claim was made . One poor old man , eighty-five years old , was summoned for two years * dues at Ad . each year ! Another poor mau was summoned for three years' dues , at 4 d . each year , and then in the account came
the charge , " for your daughter" 2 $ d each year , making 7 ^ d . But this was not all , for the person whose arrears for three years amounted to Is . had 4 . ? . to pay for expenses ! Finally , however , the poor old man did obtain indulgence 1
-After tremblingbefore the judgmentseat , and hearing many threats of proceedings that should cost at least 20 / ., his poverty and age were such advocates , that he was allowed to pay the Easter dues with the addition of four hundred
per cent , for costs by moderation , at instalments of 6 d . every week ! and yet the clergy mau was not a magistrate , and his conduct was illegal . The law docs not allow the demand after two years , and the clergyman has rendered himself amenable to punishment at the instance of any person who may inform against him .
As to Mortuary Fees , two cases had occurred . These old exploded demands also are little in amount : in vexation only are they great . In parishes where they have been claimed since the reign of Edward V . they may now be claimed , and the clergyman is entitled to 6 ' . ? . 8 d . or 3 s . 4 d . on the death of a parishioner , according to his rank . Rut to support the claim , the clergyman must prove that from time immemorial the demand has
been allowed , and which he rarely can perform . During the past' year , the Rev . William Marshall , of Newport Pagnell , whose name will he long remembered as the clergyman who apprehended two men , and had them sent to Aylesimiy gaol , because they dared to knock at his door , not knowing it was the parsonage , to ask for a contribution towards a chapel they had built , untaught by experience , had claimed fees for a corpse interred in the Buiial - ground of the
Dissenting Meeting-house within that town—the fees claimed amounted to 55 . 6 d . The items were as follows ; —for going to Church , 2 * . ; for reading the Service , 1 . 9 . ; for the Clerk ' s Fee , 6 d . ; and for the grave digger , and the passing bell , 2 s . ; total 5 s . 6 d . ; though the corpse went not to Church , though no service had been read , though no clerk
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appeared , though no sexton had been employed , and though no passing bell was heard to toll . This claim for services unperformed excited some remonstrance ; but the Rev . Clerk thought his conduct was perfectly correct , and that the Burial-ground of the Dissenting
Meeting-house , though it relieved him from his labours , ought not to deprive him of his fees ! Proceedings , however , being threatened , new information visited the clergyman , and the money was returned . At Leicester , Mrs . Davies . "
whose father and husband had been ministers , refused to pay 10 . ? . demanded by the Rev . Mr . Barnaby , of St . Margaret ' s , Leicester , for Mortuary Fees on the death of a truly revered husband , tarn from her arms and from her
heart-Bold ina right cause , this lady was not to be intimidated , and that demand was withdrawn As to these claims , it would be well if those who had power and influence , and who valued the honour of
the Church , would remonstrate with the clergy . Even according to the Decrees of the Council of Trent , the opinions of many of the Fathers of the Catholic Church , many Learned Judges , and of Selden himself , these claims on the part of the clergy for the administratiou of any of the Sacraments , were considered simoniacal . They were originally accepted as gifts , and are now sought as grants . Let us teach our children how they yield to little innovations . Illegal
claims generally creep on until the bowing , grateful minister assumes the iron brow and tone of right . The voluntary offerings of affection may be converted into a legal tribute , and that which had first been proffered with kindest charity , may at last be extorted by the grasp of
power . Mr . Wilks then referred to some cases of Disturbances of Public Worship , and of Out-Door preaching , and cauie next to refusals to bury the dead—You are aware that the clergy in various parts of the country have repeatedly refused to bury those who have not beeu baptized
by ministers of the Established Church . On this subject the law is clear . Some doubts were entertained previous to a luminous decision by Sir John Nicoll in 1795 , whether lay baptism had any validity . By Sir John Nicoll it was determined that lay baptism was valid , and that the miuisteis of the Established
Church were bound to perform the rites of burial upon all those whom eveu laymen had baptized . Notwithstanding that decision , many clergymen have ever struggled , and still struggle , to withhold what their duty ; tnd the law require . At Child ' s Ercol , in Shropshire , the Hev .
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372 Intelligence . —Protestant Society : Mr . Willis ' s Speech .
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), June 2, 1826, page 372, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2549/page/56/
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