Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1883-02-04
MEMPHIS APPEAL
SUNDAY, :: FEBRUARY 4, 1883
A PLEA FOR MINISTRIES.

There is no position 10 LIE more pleasant
than that OF the minister adequately and
promptly compensated for his services, and
who breaches TO a refined and intelligent
audience. But to that other class Of minis
terr, with large families, promised little and
paid still less, and whose congregation is
made up of ignorance, bigohy, strife and
discord, there lie no position in life SO humil-
iating and painful. A few days since an old
retired minister gave Us an account OF his
tribulatons, and the thought occurred 10 US
that man who could remain true 10 his
faith under 30 many trials was indeed
martyr to his religion. Much OF this suffering
occurred years ago. There hss been great
change in regard TO the pay OF ministers;
but they are still disappointed and often put
to great Inconvenience on account OF the
failure TO receive their salaries. When
minister disappoints creditor his usefulness
is more or lees impaired, and it detrscts from
the dignity and efficiency Of minister 10
worry him continually about the payment OF
small bills. Ministers ought TO be paid good
salaries, and they certainly ought to be
promptly paid what is promised them. Aside
from all questions Of the future well-being OF
the human race, the presence of Christianity
in every community, in every age OF the
world, and under all conditions Of society,
has paid thousandfold. Making a reason
able reduction for all lis mistakes, for
all its failures, its bigotry and in
tolerance, the truth still remains that
the ministers are leading the great army OF
civilization. The editor of the Oregon
Poldris, once a minister himself, shows most
conclusively that widely as theologians have
differed in their creed, much as they have
quarreled over their pet dogmas, and great
as have been the discussions and splits In
christendom, under their varied leadership
the steady tread of this host has been on
ward toward brighter and more glorious
civilization, and its record was never 30
bright as now. Such a useful profession
should be promptly and literally paid for
the good they do, and because it pays society
TO contribute 10 their usefulness. There
are those who believe that poverty in q min
ister, if not an essential element TO piety and !
preparation for his work, is yet anecessiiy to
shunilily. Their estimation Of this high
calling is that il should not be literally paid
for, but that it was designed by Him who did
the calling that the servant should subsist on
the scraps Of charity wruhg from the world
by the sight of hunger and rags. With all
such the pastors salary is not debt justly
due him by the congregation, but donation
it has generously granted, and it is at liberty
to stop payment when it plesses. This
is especially 80 in the rural dis
trcts. The farmer says: II can live on
$500 a year, and my preacher, who
lives on charity, can do it," forgetting
that half this sum lis spent in travel
ing expenses, leaving only $3.50 to
feed and clothe wife and children. The
starved pastorate is not the successful one.
The churches would do more toward max
ing their ministers successful by relieving
them for a season, and paying their expenses
to such a gathering as that which meets
annually at Chautauqua, than by keeping
him constantly at home on niggardly
SALARY. When a minister is stinted, when
he becomes a beggar 10 get his pittance OF
salary, he becomes crouching slave. His
Independence, his manhood, is gone. He is
Lazarus at the rich mans gate. Let the
minister be supported, which is an incentive
TO duty. Hunger and want in a minister's
family do not contribute to the inspira-
ton. of Sunday morning sermon.
Men preach best when they are sup
piled with the comforts of life. The
most prosperous churches are those that
promptly pay good salaries TO their preach
ers. Good men are sometimes forced TO
drag out miserable existence, not that they
have not earned comfortable supp ort, but
because they are not paid. Society is bene-
flied by the Iabors OF the minister, and it
should promptly pay him for his services.