The Globe. SATURDAY, MAY 13, 1876.

Globe, Volume V, Issue 593, 13 May 1876, Page 2

The Globe. SATURDAY, MAY 13, 1876.

We have previously referred to the differences existing betwixt the Incumbent of St. Michael and All Angela and the Vestry, or, as some say, the parishioners. Since publishing those articles certain matters have come to our knowledge which, in the absence of the full particulars of the squabble, tend to heighten our impression that the Incumbent is correct when he states that he is being persecuted. Surely the names of the gentlemen of the Vestry are of such standing that they need not be ashamed of letting the public into the secret of the reasons which actuate the line of conduct that they have adopted. We do not admire secrecy, and secrecy in Church matters, above everything. Fie, gentlemen, fie; we do not wish you to tell anything which would lead the outside world to believe that you are blessed with unerring judgment and all the cardinal virtues, accompanied by a mild and merciful disposition, but we do think that the subject is one which should not be confined to the Vestry and Incumbent. We are strongly of the opinion that these actions are of deep interest to the public at large, or at least that portion of the public which belongs to the Church of England ; as, of necessity, the Church itself is liable to suffer in the estimation of its members from proceedings so calculated to lower the dignity of its officials. We are at a loss to know what charges have been brought against the Incumbent, and until we know that any charge whatsoever has been forwarded to the Bishop reflecting upon his conduct or impugning his Christianity, and whilst we do know that threats are uttered against the Incumbent’s position, we hold to the words of the Incumbent that he is being persecuted. Some persons are suggesting a “ Plebiscite ” of the males and females of the parish or of the congregation, but what precaution could be taken against the canvass for votes, and who would attend to vote ; persons as a general rule are so little inclined to interfere in church matters, that the voting would be upon a limited scale, and but one result could be predicted, as it would be quite impossible that the Incumbent could ask any parishioner to attend aid vote, and thus the other side would have the whole field to themselves. We have not done what our American cousins would have done ere this, but wo r.hall even be tempted to interview soma of the parries concerned, as we ba ’o deemed it right to hold this as a public question, and from the course, of conduct which our so doing has brought to light, we may possibly by a

little perseverance be the means of rendering a help to get comparative justice for a gentleman who publicly states he is persecuted, and which statement of his we, in the absence of any particulars to the contrary, have valid reasons for endorsing.