270 DISTINGUISHED CHURCHMEN
dary Webb-Peploe was seriously concerned about the future outlook of the Church, and emphasised his view that there is grave danger of the Church of England falling to pieces directly because of the want of real consideration on the part of the laity.
"Are you aware," he remarked, "that the number of ordination candidates has for some time past been dwindling ? Eight years ago the number of ordination candidates throughout the whole country numbered 800, whereas last year there were only 600 a decrease, you see, of more than one-fourth. That is a most serious position to face. The decrease in tithe and the low stipends tending to poverty among the clergy have, no doubt, had something to do with it. Parents realise the unfortunate state of affairs, and, instead of en couraging their sons to take orders, as used to be the case, they advise them to select other walks in life. It is appalling to observe the distress among the clergy, though the public are not especially conscious of it, because the clergy, for the most part, strive uncomplainingly, making their inadequate incomes go as far as they can. The clergy them selves are too poor to educate their sons for the Church ; and the laity, seeing that the clergy have no provision for the future, turn their sons from a calling in which they would be threatened with starvation."
" But what of your work in the West End
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