a person in every parish whose duty it is to assist the parson in the rites and ceremonies of the church. Parish-clerks were formerly clerks in orders, and their business at first was to officiate at the altar, for which they had a competent maintenance by offerings; but they are now generally laymen, and have certain fees at christenings, marriages, and burials, besides wages for their maintenance. The parish-clerk is generally appointed by the incumbent, but by custom may be chosen by the inhabitants. By the common law, parish-clerks have freeholds in their offices, but may (by statute 7 and 8 Vict., c. 59) be suspended by the archdeacon for misconduct or neglect.