Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1871-05-30
Ministers Salaries.

TICS. congregations OIC6n call ministers to Of
ticiate for them, promising them a reasonable
support for themselves and their families but
when payday comes, they are in default. Peo-
pie act as if they thought ministers and their
families could live on air. They are willing to
pay Judges, Clerks, Railroad Officers and
Bank Of6cers-men who are in charge of pet
ty pecuniary interests-iberal salaries, and to
pay them promptly; but when it comes to
dealing with Ministers of the Gospel-the men
who are in charge of their spiritual interests,
they manifest niggardliness and negligence,
which are alike shameful and dishonest.
The Minister is the man who, more than any
other, gives direction and tone to the moral
sentiment of the community He baptizes our
children, performs the marriage ceremony of
our daughters and buries our dead; He
watches over the education of the young in
the Sunday Schools, is the adviser of the mid
dle-aged and the comforter of the afflicted,
and those who languish on a dying bed, and
on the Sabbath he ministers to us in holy
things, expounding the gospel, intoxicating
pure religion and morality, and dispensing the
bread of life to those who are weary and
heavy laden, and seek to throw off the bur-
then of sin.
Is it not strange that people should think
that such man, the bright exemplar of what
the life of christian ought to be, is not worthy
of liberal support for himself and family p
Mamma does not descend from heaven in these
degenerate days, neither do the Ravens minis
ter to the physical wants of children Minis
tiers and their families must be fed, clothed
and housed like other people, and their chill
dren must be educated, to fit them for the du-
ties of life
Faithful Ministers dedicate their whole time
to the service of their congregations. They
cannot go out into the world and traffic and
trade and earn money. They have not the
time to do SO, and it would be unseemly if they
had. Congregations are under the highest
moral obligation to provide for the reasonable
wants of their pastors. If they fail to do SO,
it is evidence that their religion is all outside
show. Common honesty requires, that every
congregation shall faithfully fulfill its contract
with its Minister and common justice requires,
that the contract should be made in liberal
spirit.
We hope that our readers Of all denomina-
lions will bear this admonition in mind, and
that the reproach of penuriousness, failure to
fulfil contracts, and Indifference to a matter
which SO vitality affects the interests Of chris
tianity and sound morality may be taken away
from our people.
LIBRARY, ILLUSTRATIVE APPARATUS AND
COLLEGIATE INSTRUCTION FOR THE BLIND"
Mr.. d. B. 4Sherrod, General Agent of the
American Printing House and University for
the Blind, called on US one day last week, and
requested us to state that Messrs. Nj. Harvey
Efiinger and Davis A. Kayser of this place
are authorized to receive subscriptions for this
noble, national enterprise
The object of this institution, as set forth in
the charter, are to provide for the blind 'facil-
tiles of instruction not heretofore enjoyed or
attainable by them-that is to say, complete
series of textbooks, works of general litera-
ture and Illustrative apparatus addressed to
the sense Of touch, together with all other
methods conducive to the acquisition of
thorough and liberal education"
An appeal is now made to generous public
for contributions to enable the Board of Re-
gents to carry out the laudable purpose of the
institution.
Donations in money are solicited, also annual
subscriptions for period of five years, which
may be made to any authorized agent or any
responsible person who may take an interest in
the welfare Of the blind
The enterprise Of printing and publishing
books in raised letters for the use of the blind
is one of the most important connected with
their education and happiness While nearly
all of the States provide for the education of
their blind, no especial provision has ever been
made for printing books, either for school pur-
poses or general improvement. All printing
thus far, has been done by private means or by
the institutions themselves; and it is entirely
insufficient in quantity and variety. Notwith
standing this deficiency, scarcely volume
year is added to the library.
The jealous and benevolent efforts of Mr.
Sherrod, of Mississippi, in this cause deserve
the encouragement and support Of every friend
of the blind. The duty of providing for the
education of the blind is one which, in the
present age, is recognized by every enlightened
people. We hope our readers will think of
this good cause, and not fail to contribute their
mite in its furtherance. Mr.. Sherrod is a
blind gentlemen, and carries with him a large
number of the highest testimonials in favor Of
himself and of the enterprise in behalf of
which he is travelling.
STATE CONVENTIONS AND Politics. The
following State Conventions are to be held this
summer: Pennsylvania, democratic, Harris
burg, May "a; Ohio, democratic, Columbus,
June l Iowa, democratic, Des Moines, June
IA; California, democratic, Sacramento, June
20; Iowa, republican, Des Moines, June 81