SEVEN POUNDS PER SERMON.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 98, 22 May 1909, Page 4

SEVEN POUNDS PER SERMON.

From merchant princes of London many splendid schemes for the benclit of their fellow-citizens have emanated. Amongst these, one of the most notable is certainly that which originated in tho will of William Jones, a liveryman of the Haberdashers' Company, who died nearly three hundred years ago. in the Haberdashers' Hall hangs Jones's portrait, with an inscription to the ell'ect that he "was a merchant adventurer free or the Company of Haberdashers. (jav» eighteen thousand pounds for charitable uses, niostc of which lice coinitteil to tho care of this Company." Among the special benefactions, however, which Jones mentioned in his will, dated December 10th. 1014. was' that he gave his house, which cost him over UIDOO, as well as CliOO in money, "to some learned and faithful preacher as the Honourable Company of Haberdashers shall appoint from time to time. Is in all V.U100." It was thus that what is known as the "liohlcn Lectureship'' came to .be founded, t'p to date th,\ number of lectures delivered number 14.5(H), and these have 1 n shared among about twenty-live lecturers, some of whom held the position for fortv years. Tile lirst lecturer was Jolr;i Downain.-, Bachelor of Divinity, who wa- appointed on Ist February, l'lil.i. lie retired un a pension of USD a year. Others who liehl the ollice were Canon Melville, the Rev. Daniel Moore, and Canon Fleming. I'n.l"? a new scheme only twelve lectures a year are now required, mx during I lei period of Advent ami six during l.c'iil. As the years progressed tile income from the foundation increased greatly. For preaching one sermon a week. the. lecturer lifty or more years ago received over L.'iaO a year.

Apart from this remarkable lect'urs foundaijon. there arc quite half-a-dozen other William Jones' charities, including a grammar school, a girls' school, an elementary school, an almshouse, and a charity for "poor preachers" within live miles of Loudon. . £'