Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1847-10-29
Paying the Minister.
Written for the Philadelphia Saturday Ereng Post,
BY T. g. ARTHUR.

Money, money, money! that's the everlast.
ing cry! II give up my pew. won't 90 to
church. I'll stay at home and read the Bible
Not that care for few dollars, more than do
for the dust that blows in the wind; bat this
selling of salvation for gold disgusts me. I'm
sick to death of it,
= But hear first, Mr. Larkn, what We want
money for said Mr.. Elder one of the vestrv-
men Of the church to which the former belonged.
iou know that our minister's salary is very
small in fact, entirely insufficient for the MAIN
tenance of his family. He has, as might be
supposed, fallen into debt, and we are making
an effort to raise a sufficient sum to relieve him
from his unpleasant embarrassment.
But what business has he &c go in debt, Mr..
Elder ? lie knows the amount of his income,
and, as an honest man, should not let his cX
penses exceed it.
But you know. as well as do, that he cannot
live on four hundred dollars year.
Il don't know any such thing, friend Elder.
But do know that there are hundreds and thou
sands who live on much less, and save a little
into the bargain. That however is neither here
nor there. -Four hundred dollars a year is all
this parish can afford TO pay minister and that
Mr.. Malcolm was distinctly told before he came
II he could not live on the salary offered, why
did he come ? Mr.. Peton never received
more.
Beg your pardon, Mr.. Larkin Mr. Pclton
never received less than seven hundred dollars a
year. There was always extra subscriptions
made for him.
III never gave any thing more than my reg
ular subscription and pew rent.
1t is more than can say, then. In presents
Of one kind and another, and in money, it never
cost me less than from fifty to sevcn,y-fve dol
lars year extra. Having been in the vestry
for the last ten years, ! happen TO know that
there was always something to make up At the
end of the year, and it generally came out OF the
pockets Of a few.
We'll, it isn't right, that's all have to say,
replied Mr.. larkn. A minister has no bu,i.
ness to saddle himself upon congregation in
that way for less than his real weight It's all
imposition, and one that ! am no, going to stand
I'm opposed to all these forced lcves, from prin
cple.
Il rather think the first error is on the side o
the congregation said Mr.. Elder. i think
they are not only to blame, but really dishones
in fixing upon sum for the support of minis.
ter, that is plainly inadequate to his mainten
ancc. Here, in our parish for instance,
thousand dollars might be paid to ministe
with the greatest ease in the world, and no on,
be oppressed by his subscription. And yet, W,
are very content and self compliment in our mig
Rardy tender of four hundred dollars.
A thousand dollars don't believe an
minister ought TO receive such salary.
have no notion of tempting, by inducements Xix
that, money lovers into the sacred office.
Pardon me, Mr.. Larkin, how much does
cost YOU to live Not less than two thousan
five hundred dollars year, presume.
But don't put my expenses along side
the minister's. can afford to spend all that
costs me. have honestly made all that POI
sess, and have right to enjoy it.
Il didn't question that, mr. Larkin. ! onl
turned your thoughts in this direction, that 20
might realize in your own mind how hard
must be for a man with family OF thres chi
dren just the number that you have, to live o
four hundred dollars a year.
But the allusion to matters personal to NJ
lark'n, gave that gentleman fine opportun
~ to feel offended, which he did not fail to ell
brace and close the interview.
This was Mr.. Elders first effort to obtain
subscription for paying off the minister's debt
II quite dlshear'ene him. lie had intended mi
king three calls on his way to his store tn
morning, for the purpose of irving to raj.
something for Mr. Malcolm but he felt so di
Outraged by the reception he had met wi
from Mr., Larkin, that he passed on without d
ing so. Near his store was carriage reposit
~. The owner OF it put his hand on his sho,
der as he was going by, aud said,
Just step in; want to show you somethi
beautiful.
Mr. Elder went in, and was shown a W
handsome and fashionable made carriage. W
all the modern improvements.
This is something very elegant, certainly
Who is il fer!
One of the members of your church