THE EXCLUDED CLERGY.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume XLV, Issue XLV, 24 August 1917, Page 1

THE EXCLUDED CLERGY.

A strong ami straight letter. signed by F. D. Ellis, uf Ascot. England appears. in "The Spectator' of the~9th. June. It runs thus : " May I plead tor your help oh a mutter very urgent to many of tts? I tan see both sides of the question. For 35 years I lived in a vicarage. For 25 years I have lived very completely in the world of laymen. A very strong (numerically) but ati unorganised body of yoirr Veountrymen consider that the clergy should ■//«»•« to fight on the same terms'as the laity are, or may be. compelled to do the same. I do not depreciate the office. I was brought np in the strictest sect of the Oxford Movement. Yon would consider mo a sacerdotalist. But my blood boils at the wrong done to the manhood of English youths in Holy Orders. They are classed with. * women aad ImbecilesV

since even criminals mow may go. They will -nfrer live it down. No working or fighting man will ever again look at them, or listen to them. The Demos will never believe, or own. they could ndt have gone if woiild." You have read Mr Will .THorne's bitter taunts at a Labor meeting—bitter accusations, and all true in the letter, though not in the spirit. The decent ones are eating their hearts out. The undecent should oe sent. Why our lads should be the only ones in Europe under this stigma. Heaven (or Hell) onlv krtovvs' The Belgian, French Italian yimig priest takes his full share in the ranks. The young Presbyterian ministers are gone (as combatants, I mean, using men over 45 as chaplains). I am told that the only obstacles to this.are the two archbishops, especially York, who is young nunugh to know better. T hear most bishops are favorable, but helpless. In like case, I should desert and go; but I

suppose a vow so solemnly given as in ordination is not to be discounted. I am hot with shame whenever I see a lusty and hearty curate, with white hands and i sleekly parted hair, selling woolwork at ! bazaars—robbed of his birthright to i minister to my supposed spiritual needs! f Such sights are alienating us from public I worship. In a little while the chance > will be gone for ever. These poor boys j are barred from helping themselves. Who t will help them? They are not needed i here. The work of almoner, the clergy-[-man's chief occupation, is not his any

more. There are no ''poor" tF the conuretjations. Pensions, etc., are now dealt with by civil organisations. We could ■ assemble together in the churches, where a decent layman could read service and sermon. Lt* we had Communion but once in three months, did not our grandparents thrive holily—oh less? Please help with the Press and with any outside pressure. Please get nasty things said -in the House which may reach the stopped ears of deaf ecclesiastical adders. I could name, if you askedj a bishop and a divisional commander B.E.F. who feel, bitterly, and have told me so during the last few days."