The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-08-04
For the National Era.
DON'T PAY YOUR MINISTER.

Don't pay your minister don't now but
used TO- Learn q lesson of me, all we generous
parishioners. Ipaid and overpaid my minister
once, and can't begin to tell what he came
to. A rusty coat and o humble heart always
20 together. Brethren, you never knew it to
fail. Mean clothes, an untitled pocket u fail
ing heart and the graces of lowly mind, are
inseparable and if you want sermons tried
with fire. if you hate discOurses full of the pride
of great thoughts keep your minister low; but
if you love him, and can't stand it without pay
ing him. why, then, pay him; but oh, beseech
you, be careful ho,o you do it Let that salary
come in prudent little dribblets, and don't say
anything about it beforehand if you do, your
minister will know what day or week will
bring forth, and he'll thank God and take cour-
age before the time. Yes, he'll 20 little ahead
of his blessings And his wife, too, happy soul,
will give up her economy, and where then will
be that beautiful establishment of the pastors
home If you hint that you have any idea of
paying up ten chances to one, she'll forget to
make new tea of the old grounds And that
bonnet of hers, that has stood the storms of
seven winters, and finally become cooked, will
be walked up garrett. And the little feet at
will walk into church all covered
with gay morocco, and that dear little baby,
lhree years old, will hold up her feet and look
at her little red shoes when fathers preaching.
So, don't let father and mother, or any of the
children, get an inkling Of the step you are
about to take. IL your pale, toiling minister
ooks as if he'd like his salary, anticipate his
,etiton and tell him there is nothing like the
lerical profession to abase pride and exalt hui
nifty Then, for fear that flesh and spirit
oiH fail, and give out altogether in the opera
ion, let him up little by paying him little.
But if your minister is an unmarried man
mind you-this prescription won't
answer at oil. If your minister is an unmar-
RED man, and young too, set double watch
hat you don't douce out your money; If you
30, it will be the ruin Of the church. That
I" the laborer is worthy of his hire" that " they
who preach the gospel should live of the Cos
pei" needn't trouble you at all. It's nothing
but old fogyism. Teach your minister that
" the messenger of peace and good will to men,
mustn't live as they do in kings houses. Don't
let him get too high notions to start with If
to keep body and soul together he is compelled
to give you gentle dunning, don't mind him
much he's got a worldly streak just tell him
to "cousider the ravens" tell him that "the
very hairs of his head are oil numbered give
him copy Of Heavenly Mama" or Daily
Food and tell him it's full Of Scripture for a
minister's support. II he says little more
about his salary than you are willing to hear
look at him out Of your eyes, rs country chill
dren out OF o three-story window, and tell hin
he's all alone in the world, and can afford t.
work cheap; tell him. that when he gets mar
ried and settled down, you'll hear him on thi
money question; that, in the mean time, h,
must live on faith and the affections of his Low
ing people. If you are going to be married
and intend to give him the Job, see what
slick bargain you can make for yourself. II
be sure, a man can afford to be generous OF
his wedding. day, for it don't come more thar
FIVE or six times in any man's life but then
there's no use in throwing away your money
and minister, who has nobody to take car
of but himself can afford to marry you 70
almost nothing Don't give him ten dollars
it don't take him minute to do up the bus
ness. Don't give him ten dollars; he hash
any bride, il YOU have, and that ten dollar
will lie in his pocket until it is old silver
That ten dollars shonld look very small to
brideeroom-that man, on his wedding da,
should 80 soar above money considerations 0
10 cblCulate tnob Sno oPo'"s'on VIM NoSs III
a hundred dollsrs before he can get ont
church--is all pcsssctly natural; but to pa
your minister even tan dollars would be pc
fectly irrational. Ies true, he's very kind-l
won't be long joining that little white hand
yours no. he won'k Blessed man! he'll kno
how you feel and he'll put you through
thirty seconds.
But the operator should be paid accordiI
to the length of the operation, and the mcasu
of agony the brids and groom endure 30 "
mustn't give your minister generous ten or
tall hundred, bus have your ehaags ready.
In short wherever you Are--whether at q
altar or the store, in yoar Office or in churc
alone or with your miaisssf--remember, tn
If the pastoral relation brings its lonely hou
and its heart-acheA IL serious care and
heavy sorrov, Il has springs of never-iaili
pleasure, and joy which no measuring-li
on earth can measure
Isn't this enough Gar any man. Shouldn,
. reasonable minister DO satisfied with the p
petual dance Of his hearth Wouldn's it