LECTURER. An instructor; a reader of letters who has the copyright in them if he be an author by 5 & 6 Wm. IV. c. 65. See COPYRIGHT.
A clergyman who assists rectors in preach ing. 7 & 8 Vict. c. 59; 18 & 19 Vict. c. 127. Whart. Lex.
Assistants appointed to the rectors of churches. They are chosen by the vestry or chief inhabitants. Within the meaning of the term a readership is not an ecclesiasti cal preferment; 4 D. & R. 720; 3 B. & C. 49; nor is it included under the definition of benefice given by 1 & 2 Vict. c. 106. The power of the bishop over the lecturer is limited to the right to judge of his qualifica tion and fitness for the office; he may not determine his right to a particular lecture ship ; 13 East 419. In the absence of, a cus tom to employ a lecturer, and where the lec tureship is to be supported by voluntary contributions, and where the rector has re fused his consent to the person applying for the lectureship, the . ordinary is the proper judge as to whether or not a lecturer should be admitted; 1 Wils. 11; 4 Term 125. In
the language of Lord Mansfield, "No person can use the pulpit of another unless he con sents. But if there has been an immemorial usage, the law supposes a good foundation for it ; and if the lectureship be endowed, that furnishes a strong argument to support the custom." 1 Term 331.
The court will not grant a mandamus to compel a bishop to grant a license to a clergyman to preach as lecturer to a parish; 1 Wils. 11. Trustees of a lecture to be preached at a convenient hour may appoint any hour they please and vary their appoint ment ; 1 W. Bla. 210. As to the right of and qualification for voting in the nomination of a lecturer, the usage of the parish is, if con sistent with the deed of trust, a safe crite rion; 14 Ves. 7; 3 Atk. 599; but no person can be a lecturer, although elected by the parishioners, without the rector's consent, unless there be an immemorial custom to such effect; 1 Add. 97; 4 B. & C. 569. See 2 Burn, Eccl. L. 398.