The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1867-01-30
sive, beautiful and we'll ordered, hearth
ly and fully agree. NJ, K. W.
For THE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.
Ministerial Support.

The course which the discussion OF
this subject has taken in our ecclesiasti-
cal bodies, and in the papers, is source
of deep modification to some interested
parties. If called upon to frame def
milton of the phrase, fromRsome of the
speeches made at the last meeting of the
Synod of Virginia, the following would
approximate the true idea set forth
Ministerial support Is that pittance
avhich the preacher Of the gospe1is enabled
to wheea1e out Of his congregation By
making himself an "euerJ6ody's 6ody.'
Or, at as the aims bestek9a By kindly
disposed persons, on b elass Of men who
hauing taken uOaU Of perpetual poverty,
ought to be weU satisfied 70 be fed with
the crumbs that fall from the tables Of
others
That there were higher and more hon
orable views taken by some is freely con-
ceded. And that every speaker would
deny this to be his own view, might be
conceded also. But that this represents
the view presented, is true beyond doubt.
If not, why is the minister required
to visit his people, IN order to get the
support due to him? Or, why is he re-
quired to give to the subject of ministe-
rial support a prominence in his pulpit
ministrations, which the Scriptures do
not give to it? If as class, ministers
fail in any part of their pastoral work,
let them be admonished; but never put
their support as the motive to urge dill
gence; never degrade the work of Christ
to the level of a business pursued for the
sake of living.
We need to go back to first principles
on this subject, and settle definitely the
question-On what ground does the
minister of the gospel claim compe-
tent support? Is he an object of chari
ty-a beggar? and is his support to be
dependant on the whims and caprices of
the men for whom, and among whom he
labors? Or, has he a right to claim
compensation for his services, as other
men rendering service under contract
claim :?
There are some principles, fundamen-
tai to this whole discussion, which seem
to be lost sight of by many.
The relation of pastor and church is
two-fold.
1st. There is a spiritual relationship
established, by which the pastor is bound
to seek the religious interests ,of his con-
gregation, and to use all diligence in all
grsesg EaEs ta asa@at 4il1 aiaa 1879 saa
CATION are bound to give him due honor
and cooperation. Thus far the relation
has no reference to pay or support. 1t
may be established where no pay is
given or required Or, it may be
established between one minister and
several congregations, when the break
ing up of his relation to one, or the
failure to receive pecuniary compensa-
tion from one does not affect his relations
to it, or to the others. But
Cd. There is civi1 contract entered
into between the pastor and people, the
very anin,us of which is that he shall de-
vote all his time and all his energies to
the pastoral work, and cut himself of
from all the ordinary means of living.
And the congregation bind themselves to
furnish that support which in their judg-
ment, and his, is necessary to free him
from all "aporldly cares" This is simply
civil contract, nothing more, nothing
less-based on what the Church regards
as necessary to the successful perfor-
nance of the pastoral duties. Now,
Ministerial Support" is just the full
flment of this part of this contract by
the congregation-the payment of their
Just and honest debts-a compensation
agreed upon for services rendered. Are
we then to understand that Christian
people are less honest than others? that
because their pastor does not require this
contract to be put into legal form, they
are at liberty to violate it at pleasure ?
Or, on the other hand, must the pastor
play toady to his people, and bemean
himself to the arts of low politician
looking for office, to secure the payment
of his just and contracted dues? Or,
must he continually ring in the ears Of
his congregation the fact that God has
ordained that they that preach the Cos
pei shall live of the Gospel, in order to
secure what every honest man knows to
be Justly his? 1t does seem to me, that
the Church of Christ places herself in a
most pitiable position before the world
when she demands continual prompting
and pleading and scolding, as the condi
ton Of her honesty.
1t is most astonishing thing, that af
ter Christian congregation have bounC
themselves by formal pledge, to pay a
specified compensation for a specified
work, that this pledge is not regarded az
binding them like similar pledge binds
an individual, but only as quasi promise
to be met if perfectly convenient, pro
vided that some member of the congre
CATION don't find some fault or defect ii
the minister, or the ministers wife, or hi
children, or his servants, or his OK, or hi
ass, or something that is his-before pa.
day comes.
This whole subject needs ventilation
plain, common sense discussion. If min
listers are to be ebeggars, and to sink thei
sense of self respect and personal indie
pcndence in the vain effort to get sup
port enough to keep body and soul to
gether, let us know it at once. For m.
part, will preach the Gospe pelhencefortl
to the end of life without charge, rathe
!, +bon sink m tha noc;tion of q harrar fo