The Church Rate: A Dialogue Between a Churchman and a Dissenter

In this spirited pamphlet, a Churchman and a Dissenter meet in a village vestry to hash out the long‑standing controversy over the church‑rate—a historic property tax that funds the Established Church. Their exchange is written as a lively dialogue, letting each side present familiar arguments: the Dissenter claims he should not be compelled to support a faith he does not share, while the Churchman counters with legal history and the notion that the levy is attached to land, not belief. The conversation unfolds with references to earlier centuries, notable theological figures, and the everyday grievances of ordinary people who feel the charge is either an unfair burden or a harmless civic duty.

Listeners will find the piece both a snapshot of eighteenth‑century religious politics and a model of public debate, rendered in plain language that makes complex legal and moral points accessible. As the two characters spar, the text invites reflection on how historical customs intersect with personal conscience, setting the stage for the broader discussion that follows.