A FOOLISH PARSON.

Timaru Herald, Volume L, Issue 4742, 13 January 1890, Page 4

A FOOLISH PARSON.

A case heard in the Peterborough Countycourt on Nov fith is instructive as showing bow wide-reaching in ite effects agricultural depressions may be. It would not occur to everyone who overheard a parson offering to bet on a race thst bad crops were responsible for the olerical phenomenon. There is, however, often found in life noma sort of connection between two sets of circumstances which appear to be remotely sundered. The career of the ex-vicar of Fotheringhay, who surrendered yesterday for his publio examination, is in point. He was appointed to that benefice in 1881. Bad seasons and agricultural depression played havoc with the living, until what was once worth a hundred and eighty-five pounds a year came to be worth only a hundrod. Instead of catting his garment according to his cloth — a difficult operation enough under the circumstances perhaps — the ex-vicar lived beyond his means, and for two or three years past bas had insolvency staring him in the face. In these unpleasant circumstances he acted with just as much unwisdom as any layman. He tried to improve his financial position by "backing a horso or two." The result will surprise nobody, and the ex-vicar might have sought with better result other patrons than those of the belting-ring, despite the fact that social pillars of the Establishment may not infrequently be found there. Instead of refilling his failing exchequer he lost his money. Not caring to face the scandal in his parish over his betting he resigned his living, and, as he told the judge, he is " praotioally a ruined man." Still, if clergymen do foolish things they must suffer for it, and are not the more deserving of sympathy because their profession calls for behaviour.— Dai lg Chronicle.