'THE MODERN CHAMPIONS.'
'I, Balthasar Turncoat, Chief Orator and Champion for the upright and blessed Principles of Moderation; a True Blue Church Man, and Jerusalem Whig; Receiving open Defiance from the said Jehu Hotspur avow'd Champion and Maintainer of the High Church Jacobite Cause (Sprung from the Loins of Jeroboam the Son of Nebat, who caused Israel to Sin; a Race so wickedly malicious that they would have us all cut off, Root and Branch; unless we fall down and worship the Calves of Dan and Bethel, whereby the Seed of Amalek may come to be restor'd) Will not fail, God Willing, to meet the Bold and Daring Inviter at the Time and Place appointed, and Oppose him at the several Weapons following, viz.:
| Sword & Warming pan | Balthasar Turncoat | |
| Non Resistance | ||
| Passive Obedience | ||
| Superstition | ||
| Jacobitism | ||
| Tyranny and | ||
| Persecution |
Desiring a Clear Stage, and from him no Favour.
'N.B. Whoever brings this Ticket, will be admitted on the Day of Tryal.
'London. Printed in the Year 1710—price 1d.'
Should anyone care to see to what depth the Church of England had sunk, as far as care of the fabric of the churches went, let him read 'Miscellany Accounts of the Diocese of Carlisle, &c., 1703-4,' by Wm. Nicholson, late Bishop of Carlisle: London, Geo. Bell & Sons, 1877.
The two most notable events in the reign, in connection with the Church, were the foundation of Queen Anne's Bounty, and the building of fifty new churches. In the times of the Crusades, a tax of firstfruits and tenths had been imposed for the purpose of prosecuting the Holy Wars, and it had never been taken off. Henry VIII., of course, seized upon it as his own royal perquisite, and so it continued. Charles II. found it handy to provide for his seraglio; and probably, had it not been for the very strenuous exertions of Bishop Burnet with both William and Mary, and afterwards with Anne, it might never have reverted to the Church.
As it was, Queen Anne surrendered it in a most graceful manner, making it her birthday present to the nation in 1704. Her birthday (Feb. 6) fell that year on a Sunday, but she kept it on the Monday, and on that day sent a message to her faithful Commons that it was her desire to make a grant of her whole revenue derived from the firstfruits, and tenths, for the benefit of the poorer clergy. The Commons lost no time in passing a Bill in acquiescence with the royal wish, even broadening its basis—enabling other persons to make grants for the same purpose. This latter addition encountered some opposition in the Lords, but eventually became law.
The clergy were naturally grateful, and on Feb. 15 the clergy of both Provinces waited on her Majesty, with addresses of thanks for her kindness; and the lower House of Convocation for the Province of Canterbury returned their thanks to the Commons for their readiness in complying with the Queen's desire. On April 3 of the same year the Queen gave her royal assent to the Act. That it was needed is evidenced by the fact that the Commissioners found there were 5,597 livings under 50l. per annum, which were capable of augmentation. The increase of the income of the poorer clergy was its first intention: now the scheme has widened, and grants towards building parsonage-houses, etc., are made. Still, Queen Anne's name remains attached to it in grateful remembrance.