[To THE EDITOR OP TER "SPECTATOR."1
think all readers of the Spectator who take an intelli- gent interest in the welfare of the Church of England will be grateful to you for the suggestive article in your issue of August 30th on "The Poverty of the Clergy," inspired by Pro- fessor Beeching's able letter. The proposal of a Commission to go into the question of Church finance exactly meets the need. To a man who, like myself, has had some years of business training before ordination, the chaotic condition of Church finance, and the waste entailed in its administration, are an appalling spectacle. The first step towards a remedy is un- doubtedly the appointment of a strong Commission. This course I urged in a paper read before the Lancaster Clerical Society three months ago. With your permission I will transcribe a few sentences :—
" Hitherto we have believed that soundness in the Faith is the proper substitute for unsoundness in finance The whole effective- ness of the Church of England has suffered in consequence. I would suggest that the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, as prac- tically representing the treasury of the Church, be empowered to appoint, say, five financial experts to go into the whole question of Church finance. The best possible men should be obtained, and every facility should be afforded them. They should be em- powered to take evidence, to inquire into the administration of the funds of other religious bodies where possible, not inquisi- torially, but in order to learn, to go into the whole matter of Church property and funds, and to consider the advisability of amalgamation or absorption into one treasury of the various Church aid societies, or the decentralisation of funds to diocesan boards of finance. They should also deal with the question of providing a retiring fund for aged and infirm clergy, beneficed or otherwise, a fund which would not be administered as a charity, but as deferred payment of stipend, and as a right."
I earnestly hope that Professor Beeching will formulate some workable scheme, perhaps something on the lines of that which I have ventured to suggest, and press it forward. It is a hopeful sign when the Credo of those who have deservedly won position and reputation does not begin with laisser faire.
Morecambe.
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