Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1881-07-06

down from Heaven" and there were
exhibitions of the power of God such AS
we would rejoice to see in our more ele-
giant houses of the present day.
Sometimes we were permitted to preach
in houses owned but not occupied by other
denominations. On my first appointment
there was church built by the town, but
occupied by the Standing Order las they
were called). We wished to hold our
quarterly meeting in it. The church wor-
shipping there refused it. As our brethren
had helped build it, they felt they ought in
justice to have it one day, and town
meeting was called. A small majority
voted us the occupancy of il for our meet
ing. We had been represented as an
ignorant fanatical set of creatures that
ought not to be countenanced.
Whan the day for our meeting came the
people were out to see and hear-the
members of the church that worshiped in
the house were there. Our presiding
elder took for his text the words of Job
What ye know the same do know also
am not inferior unto you," and though
he said nothing against the other church,
but gave them credit for all the good they
have done and were doing, he represented
the Methodisls rs no way inferior, and
finally closed by saying job might have
cone farther; he might have said: know
more than you do.
What number of churches we had fifty
years ago we cannot tell as no report of
them was made until 1857 We then
owned 8,335 churches, valued at ST., ,7S1,-
80. In 1879 we had 1886, having in
twenty-five years more than doubled the
number of our churches. During the last
ten years we have averaged about ten new
churches each week. The estimated value
OF these churches is $6S.776 472; but our
churches are not only rapidly increasing
in number. but in taste and commodious
ness, and instead of being located as was
formerly too often the case-in back
ighborhoods-th are coming to the
front and are built in the very centres of
population.
Fifty years ago we had but few parson-
ages, and many of those were of the Door
est and cheapest kind which hardly served
rs shelter tor the preacher and his fam.
lily. One of them not but short distance
from here was sold for twelve and half
cents. But few of those we had in our
conference we're furnished, so that preach.
erS had to move stoves, bedsteads, bureaus,
tables. chairs, etc, etc. In this regard
there has been II great improvement, so
that on most of our charges we have com
Portable homes, and mostly supplied with
heavy furniture. In 1879 there were
reported in the connection 1859 parson,
ages, valued at 8,435. 092, and they arc
multiplying at the rate OF one every two
days.
The preachers fifty years ago were poor
with but few exceptions, and their COM
pensation for their services small. The
disciplinary claim for n single preacher
was 800 and his travelling expenses; for
II married man 5000 and travelling expen.
ses; children under seven years, Sl6, and
S24 from seven to fourteen years, when
they were expected to take care of them
selves; also n committee was appointed
to estimate their fuel and table expenses,
which was to be added TO the above
Comparatively few of them received theil
full disciplinary claim.
On my first appointment | received, all
told, $50; on my second SO. and for the
forty years that | did effective work my
receipts did not average over $500 pei
year. And yet | am confident my re.
ceipts were as great rs the average re-
ceipts of my brethren. On one of my
appointments | was so straitened in my
circumstances that all had eatable in my
house was little rye meal and nothing
with which to light my house at night anC
no money with which to procure anything
And yet God was with me and gave mt
souls for my hire, and never felt that
was making any sacrifice to preach tn,
gospel. In those days we heard but littl,
said about salaries, or complaints abou
hard fare. We took what the people were
pleased to pay us.
The first year after we became con
ference, l945, the average receipts of tn,
preachers was S23024. This included
travelling expenses, house rent, quarterage
fuel and table expenses. Three of thu
preachers received n salary of S400. Twt
others received $500 Twelve receive,
$500 to $3.50; forty-seven less than $500
thirty-three less than $3.50, and yet we al
contrved to live, and think there was fa
less complaint among the preachers il
those days than at the present. We ha'
to economize and go without many thing
that we should have liked. | remembe
in my own case, instead of having a fine
elegant sleigh and silver tipped harness
and nice buff Ito robes, found my frs
sleigh standing beside barn. 1t ha
been thrown aside by its owner as worl
out, and had stood through the sunme
unhoused. | asked the man what it wa
worth. He said that it was of no value
il | wanted it was welcome to it. too
it, mended it up as best could. picked u
some pieces of harness and took some bit
of ropes for reins. and without blanke
or robe of any kind ! went over my eli
cult, rejoicing that in the humble guise {
Il Methodist preacher | was permitted t
preach the blessed gospel. But sine
those days there has been great advance
and we greatly rejoice that our minister
are now 80 well supported in their work.
In looking over the minutes for la!
year find the average salaries paid to tn
ministers were S575-more than doubl
what it was in 1915. Three received
salary of 81, 200; one of Sl,l00; two {
81, 900; seven of 5000; nine of $500; foul
teen of 800; seventeen 5000, and not
preacher in the conference but whi
received more than the average pay of tn
preachers thirty-six years ago.
But to turn again trom our own confe
ence to look at the general work:
In no department of our work do "
, witness grander developments and MOI
; glorious suCcess than in the missionar
enterprise, and why should it not be SC
The missionary enterprise had its origin
the boundless love of God TO our race.
save man He sent his Son into the worl
Jesus came as missionary from 1eave
and went about doing good, preaching II
own gospel. We find Him in the tempt
= in the Jewish synagogue, on the mounta
top, on shpboard, in private houses, an.
where, everywhere, seizing every oppo
!, tunitv to teach men the way of salvatio
sometimes addressing vast multitudes al
sometimes teaching II single individua
He was the great leaderof the sacrament
host who are to subugate the world
: Himself. Before lie left the world |
! commission ed His disciples to go into q
the world and preach the gospel to eve
creature, assuring them that HIS pre-
ence should be with them-Lo, am wi
you always.
= Methodism in this country was born
v and into the missionary spirit. 1t is Il
$ spirit of every young convert, of eve
@ earnest Christian. The labor of our fiji