The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-06-30
For THE CENTRAL PREssYrERIAN.
A MINIMUM SALARY FOR THE SUPPORT
OF OUR MINISTERS.

AS it seems that our General Assembly,
in conjunction with the Presbyteries, will
adopt some permanent plan of this kind, it
may not be out of place to offer few sug
gestions that have occurred to the mind Of
the writer, upon its practical working.
1t is matter of gratifying surprise that
the Assembly of Mobile recommends to the
Presbyteries TO endeayor to raise the amount
fixed upon last year as minimum salary,
from $500 to $3.50. This reveals success
in our Sustentation enterprise that is be-
yond our expectations, affords most encour-
aging assurance of the universal liberalty
of our people, and guarantee of more ex-
tended usefulness for our Church in this
gracious work.
The practical design of fixing minimum
salary for our ministers is manifest. 1t is
to enable those who preach the Gospel ''to
live of the Gospel, and free from worldly
cares and avocations, to give themselves
wholly ''to prayer and TO the ministry Of
the Word" To secure this, is certainly
worthy of all the attention and effort that
this subject has received. Certainly we
can never hope for the fullest blessing till
our ministers are in a condition to "give
themselves wholly to these things" 1t is
this that has given it so general favor
throughout the Church, and so far as it ac-
complshes this end, it will undoubtedly
meet the fullest support. And we hope, un-
der judiciOus management and due caution,
it will result in greatly increasing the effec
tive force of the ministry.
There are bearings, however, in the prac'
tical workings of such system, which we
Should carefully consider and guard. Some
of these are suggested by the Committee Of
Sustentation, but should receive the more
especial attention of the PreSbyterieS in
their action upon this matter.
l. The PresbyterieS in adopting this plan
should guard with great caution against les
sening the relative responsibilities and de-
pendemce Of particular charches and THEN
pastors. Our Constitution wisely ordains
that a sacred obligation shall be entered into
between the people and their pastor, which
the Presbytery witnesses and confirms, GOV
ering their relative duties, in which this
matter of support is specially included. A
sense of this mutual responsibility should bt
carefully preserved. 1t is the design of the
Constitution in requiring public covenant
between pastor and people. 1t is essentia
to the full efficiency of the pastorate.
Now, it is the fact that the obligation
which is imposed and assumed in instituting
the pastoral relation in the matter of salary
is not felt nor discharged by many of oul
churches. The cause we will not stop to con
slider. Nor do we mean to charge the faul
solely upon the people. We have only tt
do with the fact, which none will question
The attention of the parties, therefore
should be directed to this fact, and the sacred
obligation of meeting IN full the stipulated
amount promised, should be impressed By
the Presbyteries upon the churches. If ther'
is such change in the circumstances of peo
pie as to make it impossible, then there ShOul'
be candid statement of the fact, am
changes made acceptable to both parties.
Any amount, therefore, which shall b
given to augment the ministers salary b.
the Sustentation Committee, should never b