The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1875-12-25
should the Term OF Ministerial
service tnthe n. 3. Church be

Rev. OH. <. Dix read paper before
the Wheeling District Conference At
Cameron, on the l7th ult,, advocating a
longer term Of pastoral service at each
appointment, The following is a brief
AynopSis OF the document; 'f
Thete as 1t now stands Is three years,
having increased from six months TO one
year, then to two, and again to three.
In the changes Of lengthening time his
tory does not record any fatal results, but
the Church has enjoyed It's continued
prosperity, Never did the N. E. Church
have better evidence Of prosperity than at
the present time, under three years rule.
We take 1t, that II three years do not re-
tard the wheels Of the Church, but as
great II not greater results are realized,
that the time OF the pastorate may safely
be extended, say TO five years. There are
some reasons why the time may be exten.
ded, which we will now offer:
!. In point Of economy. The expenses
are very considerable each year. Take
your own Conference, which now stations
about one hundred and twenty-five min
listers. Al the lowest calculation one
third Of them will have to move, say for
ty.one, which Is below the facts. II we
take Twenty-Five dollars az the estimated
cost Of moving one family, then we have
the aggregate OF 81 ,O25 annually. Make
the same estimate for the twenty.Six
Conferences, taking ours as an average,
we have the enormous sum OF $77, 800,
This estimate Is far below that make re.
Gently BY one in the West, which ia $685.
400, and which We believe to 10 nearer
correct than the one we have made.
BY the extension Of the time to five
years we would save two.iiiths Of the ex.
penses to this Conference, which Ia $4l0,
and to the whole Church $Sl, ,lG0 a year.
We should remember that this expense Is
borne by the preachers, TO say nothing Of
the wear and tear Of moving. Why
should we not avoid all this, II Il can be
done without detriment to the progress
Of the Church?
2. Mental qualification, One or two
years on n large circuit does not require
d very large stock Of sermons. They can
30 manipulate n small stock Of subjects
as to pass along pretty well; they have
nothing to push them out. Let the time
be extended, and they will be compelled
to prepare themselves or be removed!
This would test the calibre Of the ministry
more thoroughly, and would probably
have healthfutaction upon the Church,
resulting In driving from the ranks men!
tai slnggards and lovers oil ease. Espec.
ially would IL be no In the smaller charges
and stations.
3. The anrieiy il inpOlr@. None can
know the consuming anxiety Of short
terms but those who have passed through
the fiery ordeal. To say we should not
have undue anxiety Is only saying what
il true, but to say we must have no
sOlicilnde Ia to say we must have none for
our households. We must not look after
the food and raiment that make comfort
able our wives and children. We have
seen some Of the most noted for piCty
become gloomy, almost Respondent, as
the time drew near for their removal.
Sometimes the families are sick, and
having little or no money TO go on, still
they must go every third year, II II be
said that the same difficulty may occur
at the end Of five years, We admit It, but
the probability OF Its occurring Ia two.
hiths less. From the above facts, recited
in this third argument, We think Il would
be far better to extend the time OF minis
terial service to five years, II no further.
4. The Social Relation. Most ministers
have social qualities that make them
very usefnl. The same NAV be said OF
their families. Now, where this inau-
ence Is II brings grand results to the
Church.
There arc many who do not appear
favorably at first but gradually gain in
the affections OF the people until by the
power Of esteem many are won to Christ.
There are many who prove this position
by their success the second and third
years. Il n ~ Il II Y tHgk "A