Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1879-09-08

ministerial support; but these charges
are exceptions, and only serve TO make
| the general rule more marked and
| SIGNIFICANT. The statistics show that the
average salary of a Methodist minister
in fourteen Southern Conferences is but
a little over $500, while in the Northern
conferences the amount actually PAID
is but trjfie in excess OF six hundred
| dollars.
II should be borne in mind that the
demand made on the average minister
is increasing every year. More culture
is required in the pulpit; and more cul-
ture means longer period OF prepare
ton. more expenditure for books, peri
odicals, travel, and other things, and
increased liability to debt and embar-
rassment. Il is shame that minister
should be required TO work without
tools, and vet such is often the case. 1t
| is a shame il he cannot give his children
the best advantages which schools afford,
when he is quite certain to be able 10
give them nothing besides. Ministers are
quite willing to share the poverty OF the
people that the Gospel may
be preached; but churches
do not always appear to be as ready to
share their increased wealth with their
self-denying AMI faithful pastors. II the
church demands first-class talent in the
pulpit il ought to be prepared to give
first-class support. In this matter OF the
reduction of salaries there should be a
careful consideration of all the facts and
interests involved. No church can al
ford to deal other than generously with
its pastors.
ECONOMY OF THE PULPIT.
Men talk of the cost of churches and
ministers. | undertake to say that the
Protestant pulpit is the most economic
institution in the land. 1t renders more
than anv other for what it receives.
A mile of equipped railroad
costs, on an average, SSO,OOO.
This would build, at least,
four good churches, where congrega-
tons could be gathered, sustaining as
many ministers of the Gospel, with
regular Sabbath day services, Sunday
schools,l evangelical agencies and sys-
tematic ministrations to the poor, the
sick, and the bereaved. Theatres,
dram-shops and all places of dissipation
and vice waste the resources OF COM
munity, and render nothing in return.
Churches, with free pulpits, on the
contrary, bless men every way, IN their
bodies and souls, in their homes, in
their children and in all OF
their interests. The police and
fire departments are the chief
sources of cost and taxation in cities,
and these burdens diminish, just in the
ratio that the Protestant pulpit and the
Evangelical Church increase in power
and influence over the minds and hearts
of men. The pulpit, in word, is a great
and benefcent institution, reaching and
blessing all classes. The pulpit makes
men. The minister is character
builder, and so the founder of an i'm
perishable empire. The pulpit, as has
been said, in the sober use OF its legltl-
mate, peculiar powers
"Must stand acknowledged while the world
shall stand,
The most important and edectual guard,
Support and ornament OF virtues cause
THE WEST VIRGINIA CONFERENCE.
As propose to ask you to-day Tor
your annual contribution for the relief
of the WORKOUT preachers OF the West
Virginia Conference and their widows
and orphans, | add few words in re-
spect to the Conference and the men
who have composed it, "The Methodist
Episcopal Church has existed in West
Virginia, say the Minutes of 1863, "from
the beginning of its settlement. Her
preachers were with our fathers in their
cabins, in their stockade forts, and in
the wilderness; and bore their part in
every improvement in the country"
The earliest minutes OF the West Nir-
ginia Conference which l have
seen are those OF 1854
Bishop Scott presided and Alex
ander Martin was Secretary. \ com
mittee was appointed on ministerial
Support" which consisted of VIM.
Hunter, VIM. Wilson, James Drum
mond, s. X. Dawson, James l.. Clark
and John A. Totten. This committee
made the following report, which the
Conference adopted:
Its we'll known that the ministry, especially
of our church, receive I'm general very made
auatc compensation for their services. II is also
well known that the church generally has ample
pcCu mary resources at her command 10 supply
all the wants of her ministers, thus freeing
them from worldly care and anxiety, and en-
abling them TO devote their individual energies
To- the great wO-k 10 which they were called. IL
is therefore highly desirable that the Church
should awaken 10 the importance OF adequately
providing for those who labor with them in
word and doctrine. To promote this end the
committee recommend the adoption OF the fol-
lowing resolutions:
R,sGired That IN view OF the increased price Of
every thing that constitutes family expenses, the
committee appointed TO estimate the amount
necessary for the preachers support for the en-
suing year be respectfully requested to take into
consideration the propriety OF an increase in the
preachers allowances and that the class leaders
and stewards be earnestly eNhOrted TO use their
best endeavors TO raise the full amount of such
allowance:
Quarterly meeting for each charge lay before the
Quarterly Conference the necessity of such in
creased provisions for the support Of the preach
ers, and also whenever deemed necessary 10
preach on the subject 10 the congregation.
The whole amount reported at this
conference as ministerial receipts was
SlSO42.13. which divided amongst eigh-
tv-iour pastors made an average salary
OF S2l4.7S. 1t is no marvel that they
wished the Presiding Elders to preach
on the subject. II they did so, it was
very ineffective preaching, for the sub
seuuent reports show but little improve
ment. There was constant occasion for
such statements as that contained in the
annual report of Rev. Benz. Ison, Pre-
siding Elder of Parkersburg district, in
1871: zone great hindrance to our
work is the meager support which
the preachers receive. A few receive
reasonable salaries, but the majority
can barely live" And yet these
men struggled on through the weary
years, pinched by want, but joyful
through hope. They belong to the race
of heroes and martyrs, and they did
great work for subsequent generations.
Their record is on high, and their crown
will be fadeless and forever. | do not
pity, but rather envy them; for they
were princes and have climbed to
thrones.
NEW EPOCH FOR METHoDIsM.
The year 1862 was the beginning OF a
new epoch in the history OF Methodism
in this State. The annual session of the
Conference was held in Parkersburg.
Bishop Scott again presided, and Samuel
Steele was chosen secretary. The min
utes were not published, but an abstract
OF the proceedings has been preserved.
fhe period was eventtul. The storm OF