THE ETHICS OF EASTER OFFERINGS.
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] SIR,—Are " Easter Offerings " quite the most desirable method of contributing to the stipend of incumbents ? Is it truly refined in form ? May it not needs tend, more or less, to lower a parson's self-respect ? The sensitive parson of gentle breeding simply dreads this dole. Certainly, it is looked at askance by the working-class who imagine, rightly or wrongly, that, as a clergyman is only human, he is tempted to lean to such of his flock possessing money. Is it not rather degrading for a congregation to be manipulating an annual benefit for their parson as is the legitimate custom with ladies and gentlemen belonging to the equestrian and music-hall professions ? I suggest that, where the incum- bent's income from " fixt " sources is inadequate, the C.P.C. should—ministro absents—arrange to bring up the inadequate income from " fixt " sources to an adequate income and place such voluntary contribution to the credit of the incum- bent at the local bank. This, surely, alike for parson and people, would be a more delicate procedure than the present blunt and unseemly plan. The considerateness of Christian love, too, should sway in a Christian congregation.—I am, Sir, &c., THEODORE P. BROCKLEHURST.
The Well House, Giggleswick-in-Craven. S. Matthew's Day, 1928.
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