Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1873-11-25
The Unitarian Chv-

e,S :. - sne church building, corner OF ID and
- ..reets. Mr.. s. j. Bowen presided, and
>--ated the objects to be TO elect a mana ging
committee for the ensuing year, and to transact
such other business as might come before them
The first business in order would be TO hear the
report OF the retiring managing committee.
Mr.. Geo. T.. Baker, chairman of said commit
tee, read the report, setting forth in detail the
workings OF the church the past year, the re-
ceipts from pew rents, contributions, church
fairs, &c, and their expenditures, closing with
recommendation that more economy be prac-
ticed in their routine expenses the coming year
and TO this end the committee recommended
REDUCTION OF THE PASTORS SALARY,
ana the cutting down OF the amount paid the
choir. To provide for the estimated expenses
the incoming year the committee recommended
raising one third by pew rent, one-thiId by
contributions, and the other third from receipts
OF church fairs to be held. Their estimated
expenses were something over $1,000 The
question being on the adOE ton of the report a
long debate followed.
Col. W. L. Bramhall was opposed to adopting
it, as il would carry with ir the recommended
tons Of the committee reducing salaries of the
pastor and choir.
DR.. Wallace entered into
A HISTORY or THE SALARY QUESTION
ever since there had been Unitarian church
in the city. He held that ir was absurd to talk
OF paying the pastor over 81 900, in view Of the
large debt they owed, and the tightness of the
money market.
MIR. :. K. Bond said in order to bring the mat
ter TO the point, be would move TO amend by
striking out the recommendation relating to the
reduction OF the pastors salary.
DIT. ). Edwin Mason" Brother Bond, in
clUde the choir. too
Mr.. BoDd-''No; one thing at Time" He
renewed his motion, and DR.. Mason second
ed it.
THE LARoRER WORTHY OF HIS HIRE.
Mr.. Bond went on to say that when the pas
tor, Rev. Frederick Hincklev, was induced to
come here, three years ago, it was with the I'M
deTstaBdIng that his salary should be So 900,
which is not a large amount in consideration OF
the expenses clergymen are subjected To. The
first year he had received that sum, one third
having been raised by contributions-ten of the
members paying 500 each. The second year
be bad been paid - 600, and last year only
$500 IL is the right OF the church to agree
upon and fix the amount to be paid the pastor,
and he hoped an adequate amount would be
fixed for the coming year. 1t should not be less
than - 500, and If that was not enough there
If they cannot raise that sum they should do
their own preaching, each member taking turns
at it.
DR.. A. G. Mackey remarked that he was one
of the committee who had agreed upon the re-
port, and he had voted for il in committee
meeting, desiring to do
JUSTICE TO BOTH PASTOR AND PEOPLE.
he truth was, the church could not pay the
amount it had been paying. IT had been stated
by his friend Bond that there was an under
standing last year that the salary of the pastor
should be $4,000. He had perfect recollection
that such was not the case, and the statement
was an errOr-nOt intentional, however, but
what he asserted could be supported by the
records of the church that 10 such offer was ever
made. The only question was, are they able to
pay this amount. and it really should be ques-
tiOn with the pastor himself whether or not he
could afford to labor with them for what they
are able to pay him, and if not, why let HIM go
where he could be better paid. The church is
now largely in debt, and tteir efforts should in
honor be towards its liquidation. By the report
OF the committee it was shown that their char
tiles the past year had been only sol. They
have many objects of charity which claim their
recognition. and certainly their acts in this
direction the pas twelve months was not
matter of satisfactory cOnte mplatiOn. He did
not wish to be understood SIS opposing an ade-
quate salary, but was
IN FAVOR OF REDUCING THE CHURCH DEBT
which is over $1,000, and on which they have
not even paid the interest. The committee had
taken all these matters into consideration, and
concluded that they are paying too much to
their pastor.
Mr.. Bond said the voice of his friend was
very persuasive; he was
THE NEsTOR OF THE CHURCH,
but, notwithstanding, his Arguments had failed
TO convince him that they should take the
action proposed by him. He then proceeded
20 rehesrse his understanding of what had been
agreed upon at their last am ual meeting, and at
subsequent meetings; also as TO what had been
done in former years, during which allusl0n
was made to the amount raised at a church
fair at Masonic Temple.
DR.. Wallace interrupted to say that that fair
Melted 81 0C3, out OF which sum the pastor had
been paid handsome amount.
Mt. Bond said that he had good reason to
believe that about one half the amount reaiized
from that fair had been through the efforts of
INC idNtbl anu MS ldlullNs ne uSlu LQdL II IL
was their intention
TO DRIVE THE PASTOR AWAY
to other fields by thus reducing his salary, they
m ev are a as tn abe 10 So a. ee rse
were, and II il goes out to the world that they
are not able, their usefulness as a church is
ended He regarded it as a matter of economy
10 retain he services Of pastor worth 81 800,
rather than get pastor whose services are not
worth more than half that sum; but to invite
their pastor TO send in his resignation by cutting
" not he hiYY TTa
renewed his motion.
DR.. Wallace Corrected Mr.. Bond in the mat
ter of church fairs, and said that at the fair
given last year only SIS was realized and they
could not depend much on fairs. He did not
Ike this system Of raising money as il could not
be depended on. He thought that those who
wanted the pastors pay increased should
CONE FORWARD AND PLANK DOWN
their proportion. He would be one 10 do his
part.
Mr.. Bond.-"Suppose Won lead off, doctor, in
making an offer OF what you will do"
DIT. Wallace-''Nes, sir; L Will be one Of
twenty to pay down 500"
Three more gentlemen followed in making
similar offers.
DR.. Wallace.-''There it is; you may vote TO
pay large amount, but you will not pay it.
The fact is that Mr.. Hinckley never received
anything like the amount proposed before he
came here, and he (the speaker had it from
undOubted authority that he was in the employ
Of the Unitarian association at much smaller
salary.
THE REDUCTIONS STRICKEN OUT.
vote was then taken on the motion OF Mr..
Bond TO strike out, which was carried by a vote
of 81 to 6.
Before the vote was taken, DIR. Wallace
raised the question as to who we're qualified
voters, and it was decided by the chair that all
pewhOlders who were not in arrears over two
months for pew rent were entitled to vote.
Mr.. Bond moved to strike out that portion re-
ferring to a reduction Of the amount to be paid
the choir; carried.
The report as amended was then adopted.
Mr. Bond moved to fix the pay of the pastor
at - 200.
DIR. Wallace moved to amend by making it
5000. The amendment was lost, and Mr.
Bonds motion adopted by a vote OF p to ,.
AID To BE ASKED FOR.
Col. Bramh all submitted resolutions that the
managing committee be, and they are hereby,
Instructed TO ask in behalf OF this society OF the
American Unitarian Association, pecunilry aid
and assistance OF the following character, 70
wit :-FiTst. That the said association advance
and pay over to the present mortgages the sum
of 81 600, more or less, the same being due from
the CnitaT an church of Washington to -,
for money advanced by them TO the trustees of
said church for repaiairing said church build
ing, and for other purposes; and that secu-
rity for said advance the said association take a
mortgage upon the said church property Sec