, 1873-08-20
MINISTER'S HALF-FARE.

To tho Editor Of 1he Chicago Tribune:
SIN: Will you allow minister from country
city, who happens to bo in Chicago for few
woeks to express himself On this half-fare quoE-
tion. Was surprised to read tho Rev. Robert
Collyer's letter, and no less sot when saw THE
TnmUNE'8 iudorHomont Of the same. Dr. Coll
yer'a position is, that tho ministers of today got
aa good pay, according to their talents, as
any other class Of people. This may
DO true Of cities, but doubt il 1t
Ia true Of tho ministry as q rule. So far as my
acquaintance goes (eightoen years in the North
west), It is not true. I can call up minister's by
tho score who nre worth, in the ministry, or any
worldly business chad they selected IT, 25 per
cent moro than they aro getting. BeBidoH min
isters, whom tloy choose The ministry, accept it
for life, and their high professions, ind the oon-
victions and projudices of tho people, preclude
ries in any way, unless it bo literary labor which
iafvery poor pay.
TuE Tn1nUNE is wido of tho facts when 1t
states TINT Protestant miniRtera salaries range
from e., 600 to 10000. know that, in pros
porous communities, many ministers do not re-
ceivo moro than sG00. 8ono receive less. II
would have been nearor the truth to hnvo said
from $500 upwards. Now, what minister that il
minister can support family and keep abronst
with tho times on. $500, or eyon twice TINT
amount7 DR.. Collyor and others receiving
largo salaries can afford to DO magnanimouH mud
largely independent before tho people; but the
romova1 of tho ha1f-fare and all discounts will
bear heavily upon mon equally heroic aud indo-
pendent, but loss fortunate.
And, for tho lifo Of me, cannot 300 why tile
receiving OF Buch things as hhlf-faro passes and
discounts should dilute mau's character, OF
make him my loss independent. II 80, lot uH
do away with subscriptions for vacations. And
would 1t not become phyBiciana aud teachorB
committees also to refuse discounta7 And ought
not editors to pay for tho books thoy notice and
review, inBtead Of receiving them gratuitously 2
II ministers arc mendicants because they receive
half-fare paBs, etc., then editors. doctors, etc.,
aro mendicants for receiving discounts, books to
notice, etc. The ministry will voluntarily shed
tho gnEb OF mendicancy whom other classes OF
society, Us doctors, editors, etc., arc ready to
change their garb Who will take up the cham
pion's balt7 II is Orthodox, though, to repent
ourselves before VIC exhort others.
To NO. this whole matter ia a business ono.
eince, they returned tho half-faro passes they
had taken up. They arc of the Hamo
opinion to-day In continuing those. pasaea
while others have beon called Ia. believe it to
bo fact that IT the halt-fare il stopped, minis-
ters will ride but seldom, comparatively, and
keep their own conveyance. Thia alone will bo a
loss to tho railroads Of mnny thousands Of dol.
lars. know ono minister who pays, this ecccsl-
astical year, S400 for railroad fare, on official
business, who, il the half-fare Is taken away,
will pay tho railroads very little; for, aH he told
mo, II would bo cheaper to keep lis own earrings.
1 70 for reform, but I doubt il this wholesale
proposition would be reform.
N-~ WILLIAM D. SHELTON,