The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1876-12-27
REMOVAL OF MINISTERS.

In other days Gods people deprecated the dis
solution Of pastoral relation almost as much as
divorce of husband and wife. At his settlement
they made provision for him to remain. at the
settlement OF Philip Henry "a house was leased to
him as parsonage for three score years, If ne
should continue that long the minister"
1t was with difficulty, in this country, that the
nastoral relation was severed. The records of the
CONGREGATIONAL Church show that it took three
wears and several councils to effect the removal OF
John Norton from Ipswich to Boston. And seve-
raj instances are given in which ministers gave the
whole of the ministry of long life to the same PEG.
nile Il is related OF John h der that he was the
minister of the congregation in Paxton and Derry
6fty six years." Samuel Mott was pastor in Frank
lin. Conn, seventy years. Labsn Alnsworth was
pastor at Jafrey. N. 81 seventy live years.
Several long pastorstes have recently closed, as
those of Drs Chambers and Boardmsn OF PblIa'
dephia, Dr. Backus of Baltimore, aud heV. MT.
Dubois of New London.
Bat the psstorates throughout our denomina.
ton are becoming very brief. The average less
than ten, some say less than five years. And II the
ministry of our beloved Church is losing It's power
as some claim, it is largely due to the frequent
changes in her ministry. These are fatal, IN many
cases to great intellectual sttainments, aud that
sense of responsibility which should characterize
the work of the minister. Various reasons have
been given for these frequent removals. made
ouate support is one. Changes 10 the population
sometimes make wonderful change in churches
From forty to sixty congregational churches die
every year, and where there were years ago large
self sustaining churches there are now feeble con-
gregations.
The same is true Of the Presbyterian Church,
and we can sympathize most heartily with both
pastor and people where the interests OF the de-
nomination are declining. And such state OF
things may come about without the fault OF people
or nast0r.
Even so great man as Matthew Henry, in Civ
ing up a charge which he had held tor twenty-five
wears, mentioned this as one of the reasons for re
movsl, Many that had been long COMMITMENTS
with us have left u.s. aud very few have been added
to u.s." But this reason is greatly exaggerated. =
Where the people are in sympathy with their min
lister they are willing to make sacrifices to support
him.
1t is said of one, :" His people almost adoret
him, and impoverished themselves to equal the sun
offered him in the city. :"
10 1882 we fnd one of the congregations OF New
Castle Presbytery, when called to consider the
question of dissolution of the pastoral relation
resolving Although he may fail, and IN lev
years be unfit to undergo the fahgues OF his min
sterial labors yet notwithstanding, we are willing
still to adhere to and abide by him as our pastor
without diminishing sught of his ordinary pro
vision"
And the minister, ordinarily, will reciprocat'
this feeling, and go as far as the people in making
sacrifices for the common cause
Philip Henry said " He would beg all the weel
in order to be allowed to preach on the Sabbath
day."
John Tennent told his brother of $ a poor ant
broken people," whom he had served for time
that " if they called him he would go to them
even though he should be under the necessity O
begging his bread "
And this is the spirit of thousands OF ministers
at the present day. And no greater willingness t
bear trial can anywhere be found than we find II
the ministry The difficulties that would depres
and overwhelm any other class of men are borne
with patience and fortitude. DR.. Field in writ
ing from India, said, 1.-The military officers PIN
for England. But the missionaries, on the contra
ry, are full of work. full of life, full Of enjoy ment
:. Never have seen more fully exemphied tht
inspiration of great oil ject and its power to raise
| men above those considerations OF personal care
and comfort which depress less heroic natures.
What is here said of missionaries is true OF min
listers in this Christian land. 1t is seldom, we be-
leve that inadequate support is the only reason
for removal, for where the relation is pleasant, anc
sustained by mutual love, both pastor and people
will make earnest E fort to prevent separation
But when fhe support is inadequate, and the PEG
pie are divided, and some are dissatisfied, it viii
not be hard to break the existing relation Tor
| of Presbyterian.