New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-05-27
NETWORK DAILY TRIBUNE, SATURDAY, MAY o. 1871

power, and whose employers are most rigorous
in exacting constant and fresh evidence that
he possesses them, should be sentenced to
condition of penury in middle life and pau
perism in old age, simply because he mas
chosen to devote these his best gifts to MS
Masters service is an injustice which no Sec
ular code of work and wages would dare 10
advocate. In almost all churches there is
lurking sense of shame and delinquency In
this matter, and in consequence an ehort 10
atone by gifts, "bees,n or donation parties until
finally, the old clergyman, no longer able 10
work, is put upon superannuated list anu ID
looked upon as burden and pensioner ever
after.
Now, there is but one way of placing tins
subiect in common-sense light. Either the
service n clergyman renders his hearers in the
cause of religion ought to be paid for IN
money, or it ought not. 1T not, then all sec's
should adopt boldly the platform OF the
Friends and one branch of the Baptists, who
hold that every man should have trade or
profession, and preach or pray, as the spirit
gives him utterance, without wages. But the
objection urged to this system OF non-payment
is that man cannot practice surgery or shoe
making through the week, and keep his mlnd
clear for the elimination and forcible urging
of higher truth in Sundays sermons. why
then, if the money paid is intended to reneVe
the preachers mind from worldly cares, Is IT,
as a rule, so miserable a pttance that ne
is more tormented than any other man
with anxiety from the beginning OF his
life,s work to the end, and would be
glad if the chance were allowed MN
to dose patients or cObble shoes, in order 10
help keep his mind at peace and body ana
soul together Congregations are apt to argue
that a man of God should set his affections on
things above, not of this earth, and that he
sbould not Law I'D for himself treasures which
moth and rust can corrupt. But the injunction
is given to the man of God, as 1t appears 10
us; his parshioners are nowhere ordered 10
deny him the chance to use his money wei
or i'll: to treat him as a person in state OF
homage or idocy, of whom they are guardians.
The teacher of Gods word ought to be HIS
faithfullest steward in doing good with money;
at any rate, it is hardly Christian justice 10
restrict HIM of his just dues, under the pre-
sumption that he is the one man who VIII not
apply them to the highest aims.
The matter will never be set right until
each denomination prescribes at least living
salaries for its ministers, and in the case
of poor churches helps to pay them.
The taxation levied by the pauperizing sys-
tenn of superannuated lists" "help for aged
and infirm pastors" etc, would more than
suffice to accomplish this. The present move
ment will no doubt be hailed as true Christian
benevoence yet what man would insult his
physician or lawyer by refusing to pay his fees
and offering him instead, with or against his
better Judgment, life assurance policy !
When clergymen who do honest and good
work are honestly paid for it, as mechanics or
any other professional men are for theirs, they
will give better service, and be much less apt,
we suspect, to "set their affections on things
"below." 1t is when there is too little earthly
treasure in the chest that we are likely to
think most of the moth and rust that can cor
rupt it. When we are sure of tomorrow
food for wife and children, our thoughts are
freer to rise to something higher