forwarded to the Diocesan Treasurer at headquarters, and are sent by him to the clergy. In every parish, at Easter, at the Parish Meeting, the Churchwardens and Vestry enter into a guarantee to furnish for the year the necessary stipends for the clergy, both vicars and curates, which are supplemented by Diocesan grants.
"But if so," was the rejoinder, "what safeguard have you that the laity will not lay profane hands on the Ark, and practically compel you to preach what they regard as true doctrine, and regulate your practice by their standards of ritual?"
My answer was—"Experience; we do not find that this is the case. The laity know that their voice and opinions have in our Synodical system of Church Government a due share in it. They have an equal vote with the clergy in Synod. I cannot call to mind any instance of what you seem to fear; and, moreover, I do know of cases in which, for a considerable time, there was much disagreement between the Vicar and his congregation, and yet there was no 'starving out,' but a loyal continuance of support."
I should like to add, in regard to finance, that we have made some way towards solving the problem of a Pension Fund for Clergy, and their widows and orphans. It is, of course, a day of small things as yet, but within a few years the results will be substantial. I am again speaking chiefly of the diocese of Christchurch. Hitherto it has been found impracticable to establish a Pension Fund for the whole Province. The principle of the Fund is that every licensed clergyman has to contribute four guineas a year; whilst the capital of the fund is increased by legacies, donations, occasional offertories, and the usual interest
