The social expectations of Anglican clergy in England and Australia, 1850-1910
In the early nineteenth century, the ideal type of Anglican parish clergyman was a member of a gentlemanly profession. Although he had few formal duties, he exercised a benevolent influence in a small, deferential community. His liberal education, independent income and ample leisure enabled him to pursue scholarly hobbies. In every English village, he was a light of civilization. The parson was spiritual half-brother of the squire, and the Church as a whole was closely identified with the landed classes in the social rank, governing role (the magistracy) and political sympathies of the parochial clergy. Urbanisation was the main force that largely destroyed the authenticity of this ideal. As society became horizontally divided, the power of locality dwindled. The Church's opponents - sceptics, Dissenters and organised labour - gained confidence. Rival authorities (to the pulpit) overwhelmingly established themselves in popular favour - especially the mass circulating press. The franchise was extended to the working classes, or at least to the aristocracy of labour with whom the Church of England had rarely felt easy. Finally, two of the props of the old ideal were knocked away - the prosperity of the agricultural
Nicholls, Paul
Clergy ; Social aspects ; History
The social expectations of Anglican clergy in England and Australia, 1850-1910. In the early nineteenth century, the ideal type of Anglican parish clergyman was a member of a gentlemanly profession. Although he had few formal duties, he exercised a benevolent influence in a small, deferential community. His liberal education, independent income and ample leisure enabled him to pursue scholarly hobbies. In every English village, he was a light of civilization. The parson was spiritual half-brother of the squire, and the Church as a whole was closely identified with the landed classes in the social rank, governing role (the magistracy) and political sympathies of the parochial clergy. Urbanisation was the main force that largely destroyed the authenticity of this ideal. As society became horizontally divided, the power of locality dwindled. The Church's opponents - sceptics, Dissenters and organised labour - gained confidence. Rival authorities (to the pulpit) overwhelmingly established themselves in popular favour - especially the mass circulating press. The franchise was extended to the working classes, or at least to the aristocracy of labour with whom the Church of England had rarely felt easy. Finally, two of the props of the old ideal were knocked away - the prosperity of the agricultural
social expectation anglican clergy england australia ideal_type anglican parish clergyman member gentlemanly profession although formal duty exercise benevolent influence small deferential community liberal education independent income ample leisure enable pursue scholarly every english village light civilization spiritual half brother church whole closely identify landed class social rank govern role magistracy political sympathy parochial_clergy urbanisation main force largely destroyed authenticity ideal society become divide power locality church opponent sceptic dissenters organise labour gain confidence rival authority overwhelmingly establish popular favour especially mass circulate press franchise extend working_class least aristocracy labour church_england rarely felt easy finally old ideal away prosperity agricultural