SYNOPSIS OF THE SOCIETY.
Reading edition
Object.—The salvation of souls, with a single eye to the glory of God, and in humble dependence on His blessing, by granting aid toward maintaining faithful and devoted men to assist the Incumbents of Parishes in their pastoral charge.
Principles.—That, in a Christian land, a Church established should adequately provide for the spiritual instruction of all the people; and that it is part of the duty of a Christian Legislature to furnish the Church with means to this end: but that, if the Legislature should fail of this duty, then, rather than souls should perish, Christians must join together, to supply the deficiency, and make the Church as effective as it is in their power to do.
Plan.—The Church Pastoral-Aid Society strictly regards the wants of the Church on the one hand, and the order of the Church on the other. It would make the Church efficient; it would carry the Gospel, by means of the Church, to every man’s door, but it never intrudes its aid: the Incumbent must apply for aid, or sanction the application; and until this is done, the Society cannot move. When aid is sought and granted, the Parochial Minister must say how it is to be employed—he must nominate the persons to be employed—he must engage them, as well as superintend and entirely control them. All that the Society does, is to provide for their remuneration; and, while so doing, to ask satisfactory proof of their qualifications.
OPERATIONS. RESULTS OF AID.
Incumbents aided 275 Grants now in operation:
Population under their charge 2,035,556 for Clergymen 230
Average population to each 7,375 Lay-Assistants 40
Average income of Incumbents £163 Additional Churches and Chapels:
Without Parsonage-houses 138 Opened 67
The Society’s aid is to provide Proposed 59
for Clergymen 293 Addit. Licensed Places used as Chapels:
Lay-Assistants 42 Opened 106
Total charge on the Society, when all are in operation, per annum £26,198 Proposed 20
Charge of those now in operation £20,908 Additional full Services established:
Income of the Society for the year 1839–40 £16,176 On the Lord’s-Day 401
On Week-days 172
Additional Cottage Lectures 161