The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-02-20

Itiserant Versus Settled HIinissry-Both Sides
nff ka Casa.

Itinoraut Versus Settled n1lnlssry-BOth Sides
Of tho Case.
Yesterday the discussion turned upon the ad-
visibility OF extending the term OF Methodist pas
tors In special cases. beyond three years. the Limit
at which 1t Ia now liked. Dr. Crawford the President
OF the Preachers Association. opened the discus
sion, and took strong ground IN favor OF the timer
ant system, though there are very weighty objec-
tons against It, some or which he also presented.
For instance against It, 1t urged that the fnan
cial considerations tended to make ministers
incident; she shifting every three years
deprived Methodist ministers OF anything de-
serving the name Of home, and greatly In
Iured If 1t did not destroy the n uence OF home. 1t
Is impossible. under the triennial changes for
Methodist minister to present to his congregation
or to The world Christian home. and he tine
speaker) wondered not that so many minister's
are a0 es Sog' 70 De pe, hr
are: Then, again. this changing tends to mental
laziness. A minister who has prepared sermons
enough Tor one term Is inclined to repeat those SER
mons 10 every new charge rather than TO study
afresh for each separate congregation; and the
other perhaps secular business as Is too often the
case, and the man contents himself with meagre
success In his ministry. These and some other
OBJECTIONS AGAINST THE ITINERAOY
were presented IN the strongest light they would
bear. But over against these were placed several
other important and weighty considerations, SUCH
as the benefit which ministers ana people derive
from the change which brings an able and success.
ful ministry within reach OF every church every
class of the community and which stirs up spirit
OF emulation In Christian work In the breast OF
lions which have settled ministry the ODDS are
decidedly III favor or the itlneracy. The C0ngrega-
journalists OF New England for instance, have about
onethird OF their churches without ministers and
their ministers without churches. The Presoyte-
rlans OF the United states have about two thousand
churches unsupplled and about the same number
or ministers without charges. The Baptsts are no
better. and the Episcopalians nearly bad.
moth
first named denomination Is but three and half
years, and In special cases IT does not exceed six
months; so that the Meth0dists have the advantage
since their changes are effected
UNIFORMLY AND WITHOUT PREJUDICE
to any, and all friction between ministers and people
Is avoided at the same time. He opposed settled
ministry IN special cases, also because 1t created
caste which his soul abhorred. 1t could not cut
horizontally as every just rule should do. lie op-
posed 1t also because IL could not be enforced. The
bishops would be unable and unwilling to carry lt
out and the churches or conferences he believed,
would not undertake the task lie thought better
remedy would be to let Methodist ministers who
and 90 into another which has settled ministry,
and where they could perhaps be more useful.
He would be very GLAD 4 every vacant churca IN
and he believed there Is room enough and work
enough Tor ALL both for the intineI ant ana the set
tied PASTOR In this country. Ii the proposed
change was adopted he believed 1t would XIII the
Church In five years.
charge where ne spent two years there was Con-
gregatiOna church which had had three settled pas
tors within thai time, and to whom forty trial ser.
mons had been preached, and when he was leaving
the place the church was without pastor.
Mr.. Taylor was appointed TO open the discussion
on this topic next Monday,
The Rev. J. s. WILLIS spoke In favor OF settled
ministry In special cases. ana said that, the Metn0
dist Church being
NO LONGER MISSIONARY CHURCH.
the ft1neracy was not as necessary TO Its success
now as 1t had been In the days Of Wesley. The
cess OF Meth0diSm was due he thought very
largely TO It's cxlbiity; but to bind II by iron rules
would Kill 1t. The tendency OI the people Is to
did not believe In combining Methodlsm TO the poor
and allowing rich sinners to go to the devil or to
other denominations. He was IN favor Of having
class OF churches and preachers Tor the rich and
other classes OF each Tor the poor. The feeling oil