Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1877-05-11
METHODIST IrINERANUH.

which permits no minister 10 occupy any
one pulpit for more than few successive
years, The maximum time was formerly
two years; but lStterly, when earnestly
urged, ministers have been permitted TO re-.
main with the same congregations for
three years. This system Of frequent
changes is doubtless we'll enough with
churches belonging to circuits" where il
is impossible for each society to support
preacher, aud enables all to obtain the ben
etits OF some of the most able religious In.
structors belonging to that denomination.
Besides, II has been most successful meth
cd for the introduction Of worship into
districts which could be reached in no
other way. 1t has enabled that church to
accompany the pioneers in their forest
homes and build up churches in the will
derness. In this respect, tho Methodists
have accomplished great good and strength
ened their denomination very materially.
But now, where villages and cities exist
and church societies feel able to maintain
minister without aid from the mother
church, there is growing disposition to
make such change in church government
as may be necessary TO exempt those socie.
ties from the exactions OF itinerancy a.
may be able and willing to employ their
own preachers. This sentiment is becom-
ing so strong that doubtless change will
take place ere long. 1t is felt that min
lister should have a stronger hold upon the
community than can possibly be obtained
by temporary residence in the midst Of a
congregation. lie only remains withthem,
under existing rules, long enough to become
acquainted with his people and their needs
Just at the time when he begins to know
how and where to labor efficiently, he must
pack histrunk aud give place to = stranger,
and his successor must go through the
cropping in.the-dark process. II he gels
new converts into the church and knows
Just what is needed to encourage and
strengthen them, he must turn them over
to n stranger, and in many instances the
new church members, failing to receive the
needed manifestations OF personal sympa-
thy, lively interest. and special encourage
ment, become luke warm and finally back
slide. II is safe to say that every change
of ministers costs each society much in the
way Of numerical strength.
Where a minister is understood to be a
citizen Of the place where he labors--a
permanent fxture--one who will be with
the lambs OF his flock, to care for them
and feed them, most certainly he has more
fully that reliant conflderce which is 70
much needed by new converts. Again,
where conversions are made through the
labOrs OF minister, such converts have a
peculiar attachment for him and feel lost
and almost incapncitated for church work
when such relations are broken of. This
may not be true in every instance, but that
such is generally the case there cannot be
doubt. And then, again, where a minis
ter has not only been instrumental in Sc
curing new converts, but has officinted a.
the marriage altar, visited the sick and
sympathized with the bcrenved, relations
Of the tenderest and most enduring char
acter are formed, and to tear such minis
ter away from his people-to sever these
strong attachments-is TO destroy the very
germs OF ministerial usefulness.
OF course, it is not po sible for any
preacher to exactly suit every member OF
any congregation IN every particular; and
the more ignorant the congregation the
less tolerant, and consequently the most
difficult to please. Really intelligent
church societies, when they have capable
minister-one who can instruct his hearers
and that is the duty Of preacher-under,
stand that nothing is made by changing
pastors, but much may be lost by severing
the ties which unite pastor and people
In western cities and villages, where soci
ETY. is undergoing constant changes through
new settlers in every community. it has
been, and is, more difficult to long retain 4
preacher in one pulpit than IN the Older
settlements Of the country, where the min.
ister is regarded as a permanent fixture
aboring with and for the same people nm
I'll death calls him to his reward. Person,
moving into strange community fee
none Of those influences which bind q
preacher to the congregation with whom
he has labored for many years, and tc
whom he is strongly attached by the ten
lere,t and most endearing ties, and ofter
they wonder how the society can be so at
taehed to such preacher; and thus, undel
the frequent changes Of society, new
minister, to suit the newcomers, must b'
employed. The causes leading to this re
suit are easily understood. They origin
ate in failure to properly reflect upon tn
ties which bind together pastor and people
and in that too prevalent disposi
ton 10 consult our own feelings ant
tastes, without due regard for the feeling
and wishes OF others. We may thinl
our way tile best way, our views Of min
lister the true views; but, after all, il i
perhaps well to be little tolerant an,
concede that others may know something
that they may have feelings and Interests
and associations which are entitled to som
respect.
We have briefly referred to some Of III
causes which lead to frequent changes c
ministers connected with western churc
societies, and trust the day is not far diI
tant when such tolerance and breadth {
views may prevail throughout the WeS
that worthy preachers shall not feel th'
they have no abiding place and We hoI
to see the Methodist Episcopal Church Z
modify its system OF ilinerancy that sue
societies as may be able TO do so can hay
the privilege Of enjoying the benefits Of
permanent minister--one about whom ma
cluster the warmest attachments and
whom all may look with confidence 4
, encouragement, sympathy, advice and Il
.trnctinn Oniv IL thta waw % "A fha 0rea