Churchwardens Manual | Page 6

the Holy Communion, and marking those who present themselves at the Lord's Table. Others enjoin them to take care that no stranger be admitted to preach in Church without showing his licence; to provide a sure coffer for the safe keeping of the registers, and to see that the proper entries are therein made; to provide for the Church service books, font, Communion table, and pulpit, and a chest for alms; and further, to see that the Church is kept in sufficient reparation, that neither the Church or Churchyard be in any way profaned; that the bells be not rung at any time without good cause to be allowed by the minister of the place and by themselves; to see that the parishioners duly resort to their Church upon Sundays and holy days; that none stand idle in the Churchyard, or make any disturbance in the Church or Churchyard during the time of Divine Service; and further, call upon and exhort such as are negligent in resorting to the Church that they fail not to amend their ways; to keep the accounts connected with these matters; and, "last of all, going out of their office they shall truly deliver up to the parishioners whatever money or other things of right belonging to the parish which remaineth in their hands, that they may be delivered over by them to the next Churchwardens by bill indented." {22}
In the fulfilment of these duties it is, in my opinion, difficult to exaggerate the influence for good which a Churchwarden may exercise in the parish in which his lot is cast. Of course it is possible to perform the duties perfunctorily, or to let them slide altogether; but if his heart is really in his work, if he is anxious to do all in his power that the ecclesiastical machinery in the parish should work smoothly, I will undertake to say that he will find plenty of scope for his energies. If lethargic or antagonistic he may greatly hinder the Church's work; but if in a friendly spirit and with words of wisdom he is always ready to meet the Rector and consult as to the advisability of this or that particular course of action, the office becomes neither a surplusage nor a sinecure. There is nothing worse in a parish than either clerical or lay clan-ship. Isolation is good neither for the one nor the other. The interests of both are the same, and surely their hands should be joined together for common action in the common Master's cause.
And as it seems to me this side of his office comes into prominence in connection with the induction of a new Incumbent. For the entering upon a new cure is of undoubtedly great and solemn importance to the Parson himself, but it is hardly less so to the parish. How much depends, as regards the future peace, happiness, and prosperity of the parish, upon the relations existing between Pastor and flock. No doubt the character, zeal, energy, devotion, and even the idiosyncrasies, manner, and general bearing of the Incumbent are of vital importance. Courtesy begets courtesy. Consideration for the feelings of others is met in the same spirit. But sometimes, I fear the Laity suppose that the peace of a parish depends almost entirely upon the Clergyman. He is but a unit in the parochial system. If one thing is more absolutely necessary than another for the harmonious working of Clergy and Laity in a parish, or the welfare of the whole, it is that there should be no suspicions the one of the other. Perfect confidence and a generous trust should be the rule of all dealings between Incumbents and Churchwardens.
It cannot but be expected that an Incumbent on first coming into a parish should find some things which he would prefer otherwise. The special hobbies, so to speak, of his predecessor may not be his. His energies may not be put forth on exactly the same lines as those of the Incumbent whom he succeeds. And then sometimes the staunch friends of the former ministry may look coldly and askant upon the new Rector's labours and think that his very efforts in fresh and hitherto untried fields are reflections upon the past. It should not be so. All men are not cast in the same mould. One branch of ministerial work may be more congenial to one parish priest than another, and it is only natural that he should be more devoted to that particular portion of work in which he seems to be most successful. But changes are not synonymous with reflections upon a former regime. A man should not be made an offender for a word. A Churchwarden should be prepared in all good faith to transfer his allegiance, if called