The New York herald., 1879-07-01
HOW TO SPEND VACATION.
VIEWS OF BAPTIST MINISTERS ON FISH CATCH

VIEWS OF BAPTIST MINISTERS ON FISH CATCH
ING AND SINNER cATcHING-THE CHURCH
AND THE PROFESSIONS COMPARED.
The Baptist Ministers Conference yesterday ad-
journed for the summer but before doing listened
to some practical hints from the Rev Il. s. Mac
Arthur of Calvary Church, the best way to spend
vacation. On tho second Monday in September the
Conference will together again. not, however.
in the old Oliver Street Church where they have met
for years. but In their denominational publishing
rooms. No. Murray street.
In discussing his subject yesterday Mr.. Macarthur
concentrated his thoughts under three heads SER
mon like to wit-Sha ministers take vacationss
If SO. shall their churches be closed? How shall
minister's spend the vacatons There is need, he
said. for ministers to ask vacations on the ground
that they work harder than other professional men.
Very few lawyers except those advanced years or
such have amassed wealth in their profession
think of taking vacations of more than or two
weeks. and yet they work hard ministers.
Merchants. bankers and commercial men also work
hard the average minister. The minister
should therefore. be perfectl. honest with himself,
with his church and with the community at large in
giving his for taking vacation Nor need the
minister take vacation because he cannot get an
audience in summer. From his personal ex-
perence of nine summers in this city he could tes
tify that the worst Sundays in the year for congre-
cations the last two OF June and the first two OF
July. Last he remained in the city preaching
twice in his own church and once in tent. and
holding other meetings nearly every night in the
week. and he gained Ave pounds of flesh thereby.
But the third Sunday in August last his off,
cials were not able to seat the congregations that
went to his church And the reason that Drs.
Hall, Taylor. Ormiston and others were away and
their churches closed. Up to this time this summer
his congregation has not diminished much. He
thoup bit that very few people actually city
during the summer But then there is another side.
Many ministers go on vacation because 1t fashion
able 1t argues that such men have very stylish
churches. s 5 ia.Hes tts
SHOULD THE CHURCH CLOSED?
But admitting that the minister goes on vacation.
shall his church be closed? He hestated to answer
that question in the affirmative. If the income of
the church will permit it is better to pay supply
ana keep the church open But il that cam be DONE
the minister may make an exchange with country
brother who would be glad to preach in city pulpit
fer few weeks. He himself had thought Of making
such this summer with Scotch minister. 1t would
cost him nothing to go or return and would give
him opportunity to preach in Edinburgh and
vicinity. and his scotch friend to preach in New
York and vicinity. There are, however. very
few reasons that will justify minister
and spending hundreds. perhaps thousands, OF del
lars tor his vacation. but not one dollar to keep his
church open and supplied Such conduct puts
premium Sabbath dissertation. BY closing the
Churches ministers say to the people. Find your
soy that there are always churches enough open to
Accommodate all the people who 20 to church. That
Is not the question ut ALL The real question Is, lis
religion OF little importance that We can blow out
the lights for six weeks in the SUMMER There Is
no need at all OF closing churches. There many
brethren In the churches who could conduct prayer
meetings in the summer and who would be glad to
do it, 1t would be excellent exercise of their gifts
and they should have this privilege. Mr.. Macarthur
would have the churches open every evening in the
week and all day Sunday.
SHOULD MINISTER'S F1sH9
But the question recurs. How shall the
minister spend his vacationY The answer to this
must depend very largely upon individual tastes
the trees or at the sea side others spend it In read
ing light literature relaxation OF the mind, and
Others again spend it fishing. Il hate fishing, said
Mr.. Macarthur: II think 1t Is cruel pastime never
could see any amusement in it,"
DIR. MMLER-Did you ever catch any fshl
Mr.. Neutrality-suspicious.. tt
Dr. Mr.LEn-That accounts for your dislike.
Mr. MAcAarHuR-Ic can't lay down rule for all
men. would rather preach than do anything else
in vacation. 1t is the healthiest work in all the
world, and insurance men will tell you that they
prefer risks on ministers to any other Whena mln
lister is in country place where there is weak church
he should give it all his influence and power. The
speaker gave illustrations of lasting benefit in
this direction. ..Ilike said Mr.. Macarthur, ITO
the ladies ana to admire their new dresses They
are the hhest creatures God ever made. and New
York is, therefore, Of the most delightful
mer places in the world--if the authorities would
only keep the streets as clean us they are paid tor
keeping Them There is not such q watering place
in the world to-day as Manhattan Beach"
-s' OTHER VIEWS
Rev. j. j. Bronner said he glad that he
pastor OF church that for fifty three years had not
closed its doors in the summer and for eleven years
he had not had . summer vacation. He agreed with
August than in any other month. Mr. Foote. Of New
Jersey thought ministers should not ask odds of any
overwesr and overwori They ought not to
seek sympathy from others. Dr. Gillette.
Of North New York. said there was nothing
that SO sickened his soul as u minister
begging for sympathy. He himself has had more
honor and the ministry than he deserved.
Ministers live about as well az any other portion of
the community. The Doctor said hc had been many
years in the ministry tover forty and he would not
leave il for anything. Brother Grimmer. OF
Williamsburg, could not agree with Brother Mac
Arthur about fishing. lie thought bluefshing the
most glorious thing in creation. Dr. Hedden, OF
New Jersey; too. likes to nsh. even II lie does not
aud thinks it the best kind OF rest because IL turns
all ones thoughts into a new channe.. But it Is
very delightful thing to preach. Dr. Lodge did not
like o comparison between ministers and protes
sional men. The ministry is not profession. but
sacred vocation. and minister OF brains will do
more work in three months than any lawyer will do
in year. City ministers, he thought. ought to go
away in summer. IL for other reason than to let
idle men supply their palpits. They should "ive
FISHING aLoRrous HUMANE WORK.
Dr. Miller, OF Grecnpoint. has not been without
pasorate for single hour during thirty years. and
lie did not think that ministers should make the
comparison or allow it to be made between their
own and any other vocation. There is a peculiar
care and anxiety in the minister's work that does
not belong to any other. He takes vacation every
summer because he wants to so hshpg. He thinks
II is the most glorious work under tho MIR.
Macarthur. IN response. said he loved TO think OF
himself man among men. He had never had
anything OF the feeling winch expresses itself III
Touch not the Lords anontcs.' lie did not think
that minister. because OF ms vocation, emitted
to any more iavors than o.her men. ana notwith-
standing all that had been said In fishing he
did not like II yet. IA. +it.r. 49,,
REAL ESTATE.