Disappearing Clergy
SIR,—Mr. Stockwood's argument is two-edged. If we accept the Biblical doctrine of the priesthood of all believers, why should one Christian expect to be paid for his priesthood while the laity are unpaid for theirs ? Or, if the priesthood is to be regarded as a profession on all fours with that of the schoolmaster or the miner, Mr. Stockwood must expect it to be judged by the same standards, i.e., how much does it produce ? If the ordinary man answers "Not much," can he be blamed ?
Working this summer among ordinary people I was surprised to find they were every bit as interested in religion as in politics. Though they disagreed about most of the articles of belief, they were agreed about two things-: That Christ's teaching was good and important to our times, and that the Church was despicable for taking money for preaching it. Every argument I heard came round to the scornful remark, "Well, they're paid for it"; and this was usually backed by a reference to the poverty of Jesus.
Much as they would like to believe Christ's teaching, the unconverted today will not pay any serious heed to a preacher who has not by his own sacrifice and suffering shown what the Gospel means to him. That such an attitude is extremely hard on those of the clergy who have already accepted worldly responsibility I am well aware ; but that it is more canonical than Mr. Stockwood's must, I think, be plain to anyone who reads the Gospels with care. May I for instance refer him to Christ's own injunction in Luke xit, 22-31: "Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat..." ?—Yours faithfully, MARTIN SOUTHWOLD.
22 Berry Head Road, Brixhilm, Devon.
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