Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-10-25

Within the last quarter OF century
wealth in this country has accumulated
very rapidly. Old men Of to-day can re-
member when 100000 was thought TO De
a great fortune. and nun VINO had
$4,000 was thought to be very comiorta-
bly, fixed so far as the comforts OF this
life are concerned.
Now. however, only the millionaires are
looked upon as rich men, and an annual
| income OF $4,000 is not considered large.
There are plenty OF millionaires in every
| large CITY. and they are to be found even
! in the smaller towns. The incomes Of
profess onal men have increased with the
increasing prosperity OF the country, and
even mechanics and clerks are paid better.
While, however. there has been such
marked improvement in the materia
affairs OF most other classes, preachers
are very little, If any, better paid than
they we're when congregations were
much poorer than they are now There
are a few preachers in each denomina-
ton who are paid comfortable salarie~.
They are in the great cities and the lar
ger towns. The great majority. however.
are paid all the way from $500 10 $1,000 a
year. They make no complaint, however.
and no not neglect their work. They
knew what they had to expect when they
entered the ministry, and they accepj
their lot unc0mplainingly. There must
be many times in their lives, ho Never,
when they are almost unfit to discharge
satisfactorily, their duties because OF
he anxieties imposed upon them by the
want Of means to meet their necessary
expenses.
They are educated men and have edu-
Gated tastes. Many of them, II they had
chosen another profession, or had entered
upon a business career, would win fame
or fortune, OF both. 1t is only natural
that they should want to live as people in
their station in life live, and should want
to see their families well provided for
On their mesgre salaries tney have little
with which to entertain their friends and
less to give in charity.
A preacher on a salary OF 5000, or even
81, 900, VINO has a large family to support
has a pretty hard time Of it. He must a.
all times be well dressed and his wife and
children must make a respectable ap-
pearance. II they do not they are liable
to be criticised, not only by those Of their
own church, who ought to see that their
pastor is better paid, but, also, by mem
bers of other denominations.
There are very many persons who arc
very liberal IN providing for their own
wants, but who pay their subscription 70
the support of their minister and the sub
scription for their newspaper with eX-
IRENE reluctance. They are spendthriite
in providing for their physical needs, bur
misers in providing for their spiritual and
intellectual needs.
How grudgingly is the little pittance
required tor the support of worn-oul
preachers given, and how inadequate il
the amount that is given Preachers get
old and unfit for service. II they were
not so greatly underpaid they would b.
able to put by something for old age
When they become useless they are pen
nlless, and have to be taken care Of. They
ought to be- taken care Of much better
than they are. 1t wouldn't hurt the
cause OF religion il much oil the money
that is put into tall spires and elaborate
church decorations to crafty the pride Of
the rIch were used 10 make WORKOUT
preachers comfortable. Indeed, it is
probable that people would enjoy their
religion more if they paid their prea chers
better.