Observations Addressed to His Excell. the Marquis Wellesley on the State of Ireland

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1822. Excerpt: ....'3.5 tience, and proper industry to his parishioners: it is by relieving the wants, softening the woes, and conciliating the affections of those whom providence has committed to his care, that the pastor of the reformed church of Christ ought to be distinguished. "I venerate the man whose heart is warm, Whose hands are pure, whose doctrine and whose life Coincident, exhibit lucid proof That he is honest in the sacred cause; To such I render more than mere respect, Whose actions say that they respect themselves." It will, I hope, be felt and acknowledged that my observations are not personally directed against any of the members of the established church. I know and value many of the most distinguished ornaments of the church in Ireland, and I have borne public testimony to their fulfilment of their duties; but I am convinced that the present system of tithes is one of the great causes of discontent. I wish to remove the discord excited by the levying of tithes: at the same time it is my desire to relieve clergymen from the distress occasioned by non-payment, or from the necessity of oppression in collecting that which is always reluctantly paid, but which at present forms the support, which their education and profession entitle them to receive. If the argument of " Do not touch the property of the church--it is sacred," is disposed of, the next resting point will be, "If the stipend of the clergyman is to be at the will of Parliament, the Parliament of the next year may reduce that stipend as they may the civil list, or any other establishment in the state--thus curtailing year by year until there is an end of the church and its revenues."--To such an objection my reply would be, "Do your duty as clergymen, and no bill will ever pass the House of Lords t...