The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1873-02-27
From the Haaeluaa d Eeaoao.
TROUBLESOME ,lSoRITIEs.

TROUBLESOME MINORITIEs.
There is hardly any one thing bear
ing upon the peace, growth and useful
ness of our churches which should 50
claim our earnest prayerful, consider
alton as that Of minorities. 1t is the
source of untold troubles, depression
and losses to our churches every year.
We all know that a few members Of a
church, or even a single person, un-
crupulous in the employment Of means
to gain an end, and by constant agita-
ton, can disturb the peace and retard
the progress Of any church.
This is one Of the most prolific causes
Of short pastorates, pastoral resigna.
tons and failure to settle pastors when
destitute, that has any bearing upon
those relations at the present time;
and it is high time that churches came
10 a realizing sense Of the magnitude
Of the evil, and subject it to prompt,
decided, yet Christian discipline. 1t
is not the duty Of any church to allow
its good name in the community, its
prosperity and usefulness, all to be de-
stroyed by the turbulence of a small
minority.
Hon. Francis Wayland, Of Connect
cut, the President Of the National Ed.
vocational Convention, held in Philadel.
fla, last May, said in a speech made
during the proceedings Of that meeting
that it was easy for a few discomfort
ed men in any society to unsettle any
minister il they have sufficient perso.
v%erence- An able, honest, worthy and
most faithful clergyman can in six
months be elected from his church and
turned adriit upon the world. without
a dollar in his pocket and with a family
10 support, for no other reason but the
nnmity Of two or three men. Ihaye sec
it over and over again l eve knew it
tried thoroughly where it failed Now
this certainly is uot the fault of tho
clergyman"
MuItitudes OF pastors good men.
allie, efficient men, men who were held
in high esteem by the community, mcr
under whose lahors the church wa.
prospecting have been driven to re
sign by the uuchristian conduct Of
small minority, when nine tenths, OF
even more, of the whole church and
congregation were his warmost friend.
aud admirers, and earnestly desired
the continuance Of his labors Will
them. Frequently, too, the men com
posing these minorties have but little
Christian character, are strangers 4
the social meetings Of the church, bu.
they have 4 little money or social po
sition, are merchants, lawyers or teach
crs, aud the church will consent to sac
uGce the pastor, or Jet him be sacri
iced instead or disciplining these agi
tators. know Of churches whose rep
utatiou in tie community has beef
greatly taruished, and prejudice.
awakened that years will hardly clac,
because they would allow such minori
ties to rule. and let their pastors leave
when they ought TO have said 70 Tia
minority, "Bshare, or goa must leave
/ know uf other churches that bay.
been kept pastorless month after moutI
!. constantly losing ground, when the,
! could have secured the services @
good men, men who had bee.
successful leaders IF Chust's noek. tu
a small minority was not pleased, O
were determined 10 have their ow.
way, regardless Of right or the best ii
iercsts 81 the church Such instance
are not 81 rare as we nigh, suppose q
wish them TO be.
Its the ulcer that is eating Oh, th
life Of many a church lit cannot .
cured. ought il not 10 bee cut out
MAY Bot churches bear too long wit
such parties aud Influences within the.
enclosure Do not both the honor O
r the Masters name, tie honor and "a,
ialueAs Of the church require prompt