Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1840-05-27
For Ae Telegrapk.
MINISTERIAL SUPPORT.

MINIS EfblAL SDPPORF.
brother Murray III noticed in the 3lsr
No. OF the Telegraph, Cpresent volume a
communication, written by "A Friend 70
the Churches on the subject of ministerial
support. Permit'me TO say, that this is
subject in which have long felt deep ia
teresl; and have anxiously waited for some
ADLER pen than my own, 10 spread before the
public mind, the eriLs resulting from neg
lect of this important duty on the part Of
the churches.
The writer Of The communication alluded
to above, has done nell, so far as he has
gone; be has stated some thrilling facts. and
suggested some important hints, as a rene
dY for these evils; aud now, if my brother
will resume the subject, and carry il out
with the evident marks Of an enlightened,
sound judgment, which characterize the
piece already published, would gladly Law
aside my pen, and anticipate the happy re-
suit. But as this is not a matter of ceriain.
ty, shall venture to say few things which
have been suggested TO my own mind. from
personal observation. look upon the min
'st'y as intimately connected with the clio.
ry OF God, and the salvation of men. DE.
stroy ministerial character, and you eGec-
tuaily annIhilate the heallhful influence Of
the gospel ministry. Now whatever lends
10 lnJure or destroy The character and ipau.
ence OF minister is iorong, and should be
put away from among the churches. as that
dccursed thing qrhich God hdtes.' Per.
maps IN no one thing, does the character Of
a minister suffer more, and of course his
usefulness is injured in the same propor-
tlon, Than his being unable 10 meet. and
promptly pay his honest debts. This ina
bliIty is often created by the almost unpar-
donable neglect Of the church and people TO
fulhl their engagements 10 him. There are
many churches who are very ready 10
pledge certain amount TO their minister,
(and often they are quite liberal in their
promses,) when il would seem they made
little or no calculation TO redeem the
pledge.
We will suppose case, (and think il
VIII not be rare one either.) The church
engages minister for one year, and agrees
10 pay him for his services, $500, which, il
promptly paid, and prudentIy applied, would
be just enough TO defray the family expsns-
es for the year. He enters upon his labors,
with the utmost confidence that the church
Will do as they agreed. According 10 con.
tract, he is TO receive his salary semi-annu-
ally one half within six months, and the
remainder at ithe expiration of the year.
The minister commences with little or
nothing-his family needs bread and cloth
lng-he goes TO the merchant with an acb-
ing heart, and asks the favor (perhaps |
ought to have said the curse) Of being
trusted for few necessary articles. The
favor is granted to any amount he pleases
with the expectation, however, that he will
pay as he gets his salary from the people.
Very well, this the minister promises TO do.
He gets barrel of -four, few groceries,
and some articles of clothing, and returns
home. He is in want, and goes again, sDt
still again, until half the year is gone He
now finds himself in debt some 1O0 or 80
dollars. The merchant has occasion to go
to New York for goods, and of course needs
some money. He sends the minister
modest dun. The poor minister goes 10
the church with his trouble they talk over
the subject, complain of hard times, and
in rather blind way, reprove their minister
or getting in debt so much. They hoWeT-
er charge the collector (if they have ANY, to
go out and collect some money for the MN
ister be starts, calls on few, gets Lite OF
nothing, becomes discouraged, and gives
up for the present. The poor minister
ashamed and distressed, goes 10 tie mereA'