A Sermon is preached before them at St. Paul's Cathedral, at the conclusion of a solemn Choral Service, aided by the gentlemen and members of Her Majesty's Chapel Royal, Westminster Abbey, and St. George's Chapel, Windsor; whence they adjourn to dinner at Merchant-Tailors' Hall. This Festival, the earliest Association formed in this country for the relief of Clergymen's families, originated about the time of the Restoration, and has been held under the presidency of the Archbishop of Canterbury since 1697, uninterruptedly, at St. Paul's Cathedral; assisting very considerably the families of necessitous Clergymen, by placing their children in situations of credit and respectability. The Stewards are annually chosen under the sanction and by the invitation of his Grace the President; and a member of the Royal Family has, in his own person, ever since the year 1798, been pleased to grace the list of Stewards. The expenses are provided for by the contributions of the Stewards of the year; and the arrangements of the Festival are conducted by a Committee of Clergymen and Laymen, appointed by the Archbishop, who attend at both places for that purpose. Although the primary object is to afford relief to the orphan children of the Clergy, the benefits are equally extended to the children of necessitous and deserving Clergymen who may be living. Such Stewards of the Festival as contribute a sum of not less than Thirty Guineas towards the expenses of the Festival, are subsequently elected Governors of the Corporation. Any Subscriptions or Donations to this charity will be thankfully received by OLIVER HARGREAVE, Esq., Treasurer, No. 2, Bloomsbury Place; or by the Bankers of this Institution, Messrs. GOSLINGS and SHARPE, Fleet Street, London; Messrs. RIVINGTON, St. Paul's Church Yard; and Mr. E. R. FAYERMAN, the Collector, 8, Edwardes Square, Kensington. II. CORPORATION OF THE SONS OF THE CLERGY. "THE CORPORATION FOR THE RELIEF OF POOR WIDOWS AND CHILDREN of Clergymen," (usually called THE CORPORATION OF THE SONS OF THE CLERGY,) was established by Royal Charter in the year 1678. It emanated from the Festival of the Sons of the Clergy, a few years after its institution, in consequence of the public being continually called upon to attend to cases of distress which it was not within the scope and means of that Festival to relieve. His Grace the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury is the President. Its revenues are distributed by a Court of Assistants, annually chosen out of the body of Governors, in the month of November : 1st, In pensions and benefactions to the widows of necessitous Clergymen, and to maiden daughters of deceased Clergymen of forty-five years of age, or upwards. In consequence of the great numbers who desire to participate in these benefactions, the sum given to each individual does not exceed £10, except in some very few cases. 2nd, In benefactions of £10 to £20, given annually, about Christmas, to Chaplains, or Stipendiary Curates, in actual duty, and other Clergymen with small incomes; and, about Whitsuntide, to Poor Clergymen with large families. 3rd, In apprenticing the children of Poor Clergymen, and assisting some of them after their apprenticeship with sums of £20, the better to enable them to set up in business. 4th, In extending relief to cases of urgent distress amongst the Clergy and their families, not coming within any of the foregoing descriptions, from a Special Fund, which has, within the last few years, been created, and placed at the disposal of the Corporation. Subscriptions and Donations in aid of the funds of this Charity are received by the Treasurers, Sir ROBERT H. INGLIS, Bart., M.P., the Rev. GEORGE SHEPHERD, D.D., and WILLIAM TAYLOR COPELAND, E Esq., Alderman and M.P.; and by the Registrar, OLIVER HARGREAVE, Esq.; and all persons who may be disposed to promote the objects of this Charity, or to communicate any information concerning it, will be pleased to address the Registrar, at the Corporation House, No. 2, Bloomsbury Place. III. INCORPORATED CLERGY ORPHAN SOCIETY. THE CLERGY ORPHAN SOCIETY was incorporated in 1809, by the title of "THE GOVERNORS OF THE SOCIETY FOR CLOTHING, MAINTAINING, AND EDUCATINg Poor Orphans of Clergymen of the ESTABLISHED CHURCH, IN THAT PART OF THE UNITED KINGDOM CALLED ENGLAND, UNTIL OF AGE TO BE PUT APPRENTICE." This Charity (which was first formed in the year 1749, and removed in 1812 to a spacious building erected in a healthy situation at St. John's Wood, near the Regent's Park) is under the patronage of Her Majesty, and the presidency of the Archbishop of Canterbury, maintains and educates about 130 Children of Clergymen, and is supported by benefactions and annual subscriptions. This Charity has been enabled to carry its designs into effect by the liberal support received, as well from the Laity as the Clergy; and, under the blessing of God, a continuance of the prosperity, which has thus far attended the Institution, may be confidently anticipated. Subscriptions and Donations are received by the Rev. Dr. SHEPHERD, and CHARLES F. BARNWELL, Esq., F.R.S., the Treasurers; by Messrs. DRUMMOND, Charing Cross; by the Rev. J. D. GLENNIE, M.A., Secretary; and by the Collector, Mr. STRETTON, 67, Lincoln's Inn Fields. A Special Fund was established in the year 1826, and placed under the management of the General Committee, called THE CLERGY ORPHAN APPRENTICING FUND, for the purpose of assisting the Children, when they leave the Schools, in obtaining suitable situations. From the preceding statement, it will be observed that these excellent Charities have each their peculiar functions in ministering to the varying exigencies of the Indigent Clergy, their Widows, and Children, and concur in forming one great comprehensive plan of National Charity. It is fervently hoped, therefore, that their respective funds may be greatly extended, and their benevolent purposes carried into wider and more general operation. The CORPORATION OF THE SONS OF THE CLERGY affords assistance to Clergymen whose stipends are inadequate for the support of themselves and their families, and takes their widows and maiden daughters, who have attained a certain age, under its immediate protection, allowing to considerable numbers of them small pensions, so long as their condition and circumstances continue unchanged. The Incorporated CLERGY ORPHAN SOCIETY undertakes the maintenance and education of the Children of deceased Clergymen, till they are of age to be apprenticed. By the FESTIVAL OF THE SONS OF THE CLERGY, material aid is afforded to the other Charities by means of Apprentice-Fees or Outfits, whereby Children of Clergymen are assisted in obtaining a comfortable subsistence, and becoming valuable members of society. THE END. |