r 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