in unwholesome sort of preference and popularity? Is it not
sometimes known that a Curate condescends so low as to concur with
criticisms or sarcasms on his chief, or even to volunteer them? Alas for
the parish where there is a "Curate's party," small or more extensive.
Happy the parish where no chance is given in that direction by either
Incumbent or Curate. Happy the Curate who is so truly loyal and dutiful,
it may be even under difficulties, that he makes it quite unmistakable
that, if a party is to gather, it must gather around some one else.

HOW TO REPRESS IT.

Some cases happily in point are present to my own mind. I once knew of a
parish in which the truly devoted Vicar was, however, not popular; he
had sadly felt the weight of depression and disappointment, and this had
had a weakening reflex influence on his ministry. He was joined by a
Curate, a man in the prime of youth and vigour, well qualified to
attract confidence and affection, and particularly gifted as a preacher.
Very soon many parishioners showed a preference for the young man's
ministrations in public, and for his company in private; it was a golden
opportunity for the almost spontaneous formation of a Curate's party. By
the grace of God, the young Clergyman was enabled both to see the
position at once and, by most decisive and manly speech and act, in the
right quarters, to show, without a chance of mistake, that he considered
his work as altogether identical with his Vicar's, never to be carried
on for an hour outside a faithful subordination. Another instance may be
given. Some years ago it was my duty to explain at a meeting the objects
and work of the Divinity Hall with which I am connected. Quite
incidentally, while describing our course of teaching, I mentioned my
earnest desire always to caution my student-friends against giving the
slightest encouragement to the rise of Curates' parties.

*AN EXAMPLE.

At the close of the occasion, a Clergyman rose at the back of the
parish-room where we met, and said a few words, as gladdening as they
were unexpected. He had come to the meeting-place with no knowledge of
the meeting; merely to keep an appointment. But he happened to be the
Vicar of a large town parish, and there to have had a friend of mine as
his Curate; and he told us how this same Curate had come to him at a
time when the parish, under circumstances inherited from past years, was
ripe and ready for partizanship and division. Nothing