CHURCH TAVERNS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXII, Issue XVIII, 6 May 1899, Page 605

CHURCH TAVERNS.

Warwickshire, England, possesses the chief of a class of anomalies of which we can exhibit no par. It is nothing more nor less than a minister of the Gospel who openly runs a public house. The Established Church is far from being teetotal in its doctrines, as teetotalism, even among- the more rigorous of the sects, has never been popular in England. The public house came into the possession of the parish of which Rev. Osbert Mordaunt, the gentleman

in question, was the rector, through the will of an eccentric old miser, who, perhaps, as much in irony as good faith, left it to the vestry in charge for the benefit of the poor of the parish. When this was made public the reverend gentleman consulted several temperance reformers, who, of course, advised him to sell immediately. The majority of the vestry, however, were in favour of running the place on equitable terms, and devoting the proceeds to the purpose prescribed. The result has been successful beyond expectation, an

appreciable income being each year derived for clothing, coal, etc. The principles are as follows: — 1. The sale of pure beer. 3. No profit whatever to an individual. 3. No credit allowed. Since the success of this place several English ministers have taken out licenses on the same plan, ami in each instance are reaping a harvest for their parish poor.