The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1883-07-06
rnE cnuRcn DOES non surFrn.

l suppose the brother means that the
entire Methodist Church Is actually suffer-
ing because Of the temporary nature OF her
pastorate. / am astonished beyond
measure that any loyal and well
informed member should publish an
assertion OF this kind. The Methodist
church is correctional church, one
single church is a factor Of the whole. 1t
is true that once in great while we hear
of church that is grieved at the loss OF a
pastor, but they are generally comforted by
the lact that the new man is equally as
good II not better than his predecessor
was. We have large and small churches to
supply, and while the strong churches de-
mand strong men as their pastors, 1t is
Just as certain that small and weak
churches require first class preachers and
pastors, and if they do not get them these
weak churches must be crippled and
may perish. Ii properly nourished these
delicate churches OF the present will be the
strong churches Of the future, and it Seems
that the three year limit is the only pos.
sible way to save the weak churches, and
extend Methodism far and wide.
The brother says the settled pastor aims
to lay his foundation broad and build ac-
cordingly, and intimates that this is not
done in d church with an unsettled pastor.
ate. Where will you find better builders
than Bishop Asbury, DR.. Kynett, DR..
Guard, DR.. A. O. George and hosts oil
others in our church? No, sir, the fact il
that the change Of pastors every three
years has cent some OF these great organ
izers and methodical men to churches that
have needed them most. Again It Is said
that the success Of the Methodist church
in the past is not attributable to the itin-
eracy alone. The brother thinks that her
theology and the apostolic zeal OF her uni
versity and the piety OF her members had
more to do with her prosperity than her
itineraCy. / say that without tho first the
others never could have spread as they did.
TIE TERM SHOULD NOT DE EXTENDED.
believe that il we extend the pastoral
term we shall have vast number OF va
cant pulpits and great many unemployed
ministers; whereas, under our present sys.
TEN no church is without preacher, and
no preacher competent 10 have church
without one.
How is 1t in churches with settled pas
torate2 The other week read large arti,
Gle stating that in the Presbyterian and
Congregational Churches there was grea,
scarcity Of pastors, and strong churches
were calling for pastors. Would Brothel
Dion plaCeIthe Methodist Church in such 9
dilemma MS this? l think 1t would be q
great deal better for some good people Il
instead Of trying to find the flexlbilfty Of
church machinery they. would get more
flexible themselves.
Il is u fact that the ministers in non
itinerant churC hes are itinerate more thar
Methodist preachers, taking them as class
know that now and then man Of in
fuence leaves the church and goes over L
a church with q settled pastorato. Well
the Methodist Church can afford to give
awaya few men now and then, but shI
cannot afford 10 prolong her pastoral term
object to this proposed change because
know 1t Is only the entering wedge to 9th
er innoyations, and Of these 1 may writ
in the future.
So,6hton III IN .LtIUS