The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1883-02-14
From the New York Observer.
Not Prospecting: Why Not +?


member of one, and Mr.. Elder unfortu-
nate in belonging to another church. The
two gentlemen met on common ground
beyond the authority of either. After
theu usual salutation, Mr.. Parson inquired
Well. my brother, how does your
church prosper now?'
Prospern' exclaimed Mr.. Elder, with
a disguised air "our church does not
prosper at all. We have had five pastors
in ten years, and we are all in tangle
at the present moment trying to get rid
of the fifth. He has been with us less
than two years, and nearly all that time
we have been In row. Some are charm
ed with him and try to keep him, while
others want to put him away. 1t APP
pears to me that we are very unfortunate
IN our choice of a pastor. Not but that
we have candidates enough: somehow or
other at the last we make bad selection,
and before six months pass there is dis
content and division, and that even when
we have made unanimous call. ="
"What is the trouble now ?" inquired
Mr. Parson.
"Well, indeed" said Mr.. Elder, 81
could hardly tell you. Our pastor had
some difference with the treasurer, Mr..
Mark, and he has good deal of infu-
ence IN the church, and so the quarrel
began. You seem to get along with your
pastor so well | aOoltld like to know the
secret, and how it is that you never have
a jar in your church"
mo indeed, we never have Jar, and
we don't want one; but if you will kind
ly tell me how you treat your pastor l
will tell you how we manage to get along
without friction: for we make no secret
of it"
&c am not certain that we follow any
particular method in our dealings with
our pastor, said Mr.. Elder I'VE gave
him a unanimous call which he accepted.
Was that not sufficient"
did you give him good, hearty re-
ception when he came among you?"
" Well ye-e-es," said Mr.. Elder hest
tatingly. L" [ should think so. Though
we had no formal reception, it being the
busy season, still we came out to church
and all that The truth is, he seemed
distant from the first, and waited for the
people to make the advances.
" 1t is possible that he may have erred
somewhat in that respect; but, Mr.. Elder,
don't you think that he was the stranger,
and therefore entitled to the attention of
the people who were at home in their own
church"
" AS regards that, we did not intend
any GOODNESS besides, his position gives
him the right to notice all his hearers"
said Mr. Elder.
Yes, but sou must remember that
courtesy shoj proceed from the people,
insisted Mr.. son.
They kno him personally long be-
fore he knows them, and there is no ex-
cuse for any member of the congregation
passing him by without bow or how
do-you-do. This is their way of assuring
him that he is welcome among them"
" But are you careful to pay him his
salary when it becomes due"
" Oh, as for regular payment, said Mr.
Elder: eve don t trouble ourselves with
that, but he can get less or more when
ever he asks for ii"
And so you reduce your pastor to the
humiliation of asking for money when
ever he needs it ?" said Mr.. Parson, with
some severity in his voice; and then he
inquired: " But do you pay him all his
salary ?"
well, yes, said Mr.. Elder. 1--WE paid
him all the first year. but, finding that it
would be difficult to pay as much the next
year, we sent committee to wait on him
to see if he would not do with less We
did not think it any injustice to him, Tor
we had to offer fair salary, even beyond
our ability, to induce him to come to us.
" So then you have broken faith with
your pastor" said Mr.. Parson, severely.
No, no; / am prepared to deny that,
said Mr.. Elder, with some feeling. "I,
myself was one of that committee. Mr.
Mark and 1 waited on him in an orderly
way, by regular appointment of the board,
and he seemed rather snappish with u.s.
We thought that he did not treat us as
gentlemen in the discharge of our reli-
gious duty, and so the trouble began"
Do you ever speak to him in common
dation Of his preaching" asked Mr.. Par
son.
Not very often, should say. 1t is
not right to flatter such men. And now
l remember that they once appointed
committee to meet him, and, in delicate
and becoming manner, to ask him to
preach better sermons, especially in the
evening, to draw the young people. He
seemed short with the gentlemen who
suggested the improvement, and asked
Mr.. Slocum to write few good stirring
sermons, and show them to him, that he
might copy after them. 1t was a great