Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1882-06-15
Sunday-School Lessons.
THE PAY OF PREACHERS.

What reason is it that, while Law and
ry them, DIVINITY, their eldest sister, should be
put off with only her own beauty2'
This query of quaint old Thomas Full
Ter has a certain aptness yet, though it
was penned we'll nigh two centuries and
half since in the Old England, and we
repeat it in the New America. 3
Probably all told not score of min
listers in the United States receive saIa-
RIGS of ten thousand dollars per annum;
and these only in New York City, where
the high rent rates and living prices are
neutralizing factors. But salaries of
even half this amount are exceptional.
The two denominations that lay the
strongest emphasis on an educated min
istry and offer the highest compensation
actually pay less than one thousand dol
lars per annum as the average salary.
The medical specialist, or the successful
lawyer, sometimes receives at single
fee more than the highest salary paid to
a minister. And there are many in both
professions whose yearly fees aggregate
from ten to fifty thousand dollars How
often do preachers grow rich from their
profession? How many of them can
even by dint of the most rigid economy
lay by a decent competence for the rainy
days. of infirmity and old age?
1t cannot be said that the period of
preparation for the ministry is shorter
than for law or medicine, and involves
less expense, and hence cannot expect
as great returns; for it is notorious that
short cuts have been discovered into
both the medical and legal profession
requiring the adoption on the part of
both of rigorous methods of self-protec-
ton; while the denominations already
referred to have always strenuously in
sisted upon thorough three years
theological course superadded to the
regular classical course. Nor can it be
said that law and medicine monopolize
brains-that they divide the frst-class
men and inferior grades fall to the min
istry. In single theological class, in
a certain seminary, thirteen MEM
bers out of total of forty-fiv were honor
men from our best colleges. East and
West. From the ranks of the ministry
the professorships of higher education
are re- ruited. In busy city pastorate,
and in quiet country parsonage, may
be sought and found two of the best en-
tomologists of the age. A noted preach
er is no mean astronomer. A village
preacher in the Northwest is philolog-
lCdl dutuoIlty. 1Iuc WOuiu LII W tcu
OF authors, esSayists, poets, linguists,
historians, philosophers and editors
upon whom hands of ordination have
been laid. A visit to a frst-class book
store would resolve all doubts as to the
intellectual standing of the ministry.
But we cannot blink the fact that in
comparison with other professions the
ministry is wofully underpaid. With
equality of gifts and culture there is a;
cruel disparity in compensation. This
fact works harm. 1t binds a clog and
fetter on the minister's heart. 1t COM
pels men who, for the sake of s.high
thinking" should be free from undue
care and anxiety, to twist and screw in
the coils of cruel penury, politely
called economy.
.Ostentimes when his means are
bolt the preacher out of his study"
Perhaps here is hint at the failure of
the church to Christianize the world.
The world will neither be conquered nor
converted on hall rations.
Ample compensation to the ministry
would secure manly. self-respecting
independence in thought and action.
Preachers ought to be the most indie
pendent of all men. They sp ak God
truth They deal with supreme facts
and forces. Their position should be so
secure as to be above g the fear or favor
of men, To some Independent man.
hood in the pulpit is intolerable. 1t is
a standing rebuke to any lack of it in
the pews Some regard humility and |
independence as Incompatible, and CO.
work, as they suppose. with God in Sc
curing the preachers humility by insur-
ing his poverty. But humility toward |
God and Independence toward men are
in perfect keeping, and, in combination |
with culture and consecration. make the |
ministry that the world needs.
In the greater efficiency OF the minis |
try, in the economy of time and force,
in enlarged courage and hopefulness,
the world would get rapidly COM
pounding interest on her investment