The New York herald., 1879-03-18
BAPTIST CONFERENCE.
sysTzndAT1o AID FOR DISABLED MINISTERS DIR.
yEFFREys PLAN.

sys1EMArIo AID FOR DISABLED MN1sTERs-DR.
yEFFREys PLAN.
The Baptist Ministers Conference yestarday had
exceedingly Interesting session in Oliver Street
Baptist Church. out Of which may grow the supply
of want felt in their denomination. 1t is known
that Bapists hold to the congregational form OF gov
ernment, whereby evory church Is independent Of
every other church. All their associations there-
fore voluntary. whether ordained for bcnsvolence
for social fellowship. The denomination is divided
into associations. based upon geographical bound
aries, all several Of which there funds for
the relief of disabled minister's OF each asso-
ciation and the widows and orphans OF deceased
ministers. But changes about frequently
among Baptists who ignore the itinorancy. among
the Mothodists, who mako it part Of their ecclesi-
astical machinery. When Baptist minister, there
FORE leaves association and unitos with another
ho loses ali the benefits OF the fund left behind.
though he may have contributed to it for twcnty
years. And he cannot receive benefit from the fund
in the new association until he has paid certain sums
in and been membor for time. This Ia
deemed great hardship, increased, too. it often
is by old age. reduced salary other clements which
prevent the pastor in his relations from con-
tributirg to such fund either literally long
he formerly could and did. SO that In the time Of
his greatest need he s compelled to depend upon the
ference this subject yesterday, as 1t presented
by Dr. jeffrey, OF brooklyn, was greatly enhanced.
Many touching incidents given also to show tho
straits to which many ministers arc reduced because
the denOminaton has no systematic mode OF relief.
DIR. jeffrey proposed plan OF rclicf which is
OF mutual insurance and is substantially fol-
lows Taking the 800 Baptist churches In the State
of Now York basis OF calculation there are four
degrees of membership. based on the payments an
nually Of S5, $40. SIS and So AT the latter rate
PAID BY 5000 ministers. or by that number Of
churches for their pastors, in hve years fund Of
$1,000 would be raised. The interest Of this sum.
| would meet all tho probable claims made upon Il
aftor that time. The Reformed Church fund
| for o snilnr object has received during nine
| years Of it's EXISTENCE In small payments like
pense of administration during the period has
been only 81 ,370 and II has paid out In annuties
during that tinre to twelve annuitnnts three
of whom deceased and II has only sxty-one mer-
payments of tho annuitants tho basis Of four per
cent of the paid In by each. For instance tho
who pays $40 gets annuity OF $500; SIS, $150
SO, 500. and IS, $T5 But man may pay $500 at
these sums could not bo paid until tho fund had
been allowed q tow years 70 accumuate- 30 fmpor-
tant did the matter appear 10 the brethren that they
authorized the moderator and clerk to nominate %
facts in the case and arrange for Joint convention
of minister's and laymen. 10 bo held ut future
day, to discuss this question.
Tho very serious illness Of tho Rev. Il. M. Van
Slyke, pastor Of the Pilgrim baptist Church, In this
city. was announced. and the sudden death of the
Rev. DR.. Hodges only daughter. who will be buried
to-day from the Central Church. in Brooklyn.
Prayer was offered for the restoration TO health of
the former aud comfort IN his affection to tke latter
Drs Dyer, OF PHILADELPHIA Mcdonald OF Richmond,
Va, and Szer, OF Western Now York, intro
duced and made briof remarks, after which the Con-
ference adjourned with prayer