The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1886-05-08
LIVING ON FOUR CENTS A DAY.
Lancaster { Pa Ne,o Era.

AuNCuotcT " u'J 4'SW GIU'
Some startling revelations were made recently
at the annual conference of the Methodist minis
tiers, held in phia--revelatons that are a
surprise to the outside world and reflect no credit
upon the Church's neglect of some of its most
worthy servants. 1t was there stated that there
are dozens OF Faithful, hard working ministers
scattered through the country towns of the State
who have families to support on salaries OF $500
per annum. 1t was further said a minister pre-
sent was compelled to support himself and family
on a stipend of about four cents per day. Of
course, this could not be done without running
into debt, without entailing work on the poor
minister's wife that has ruined her in health and
plunged the faithful servant of the Word into
endless troubles. Another minister ventured the
declaration that Methodist ministers and their
wives were literally dying from inefficient support.
There is no reason to doubt the correctness Of
these statements. They are only too true-the
more's the pity. Nor can the Church organiza-
ton dscam responsibility for this state of things
1t knows which are the wel-to do congregations
and which are poor ones. 1t is vested with au-
thority to assign its members to their triennial
stations. One, perhaps, gets congregation
where the salary is anywhere from 81 500 to dou-
Bile that sum- Another is sent where the pay is
$500 or $40O The incumbent of the latter place
is as sincere, as godly, as earnest and able a
Is there any reasonable excuse for this? If con-
gregatons were allowed to choose their pastors
the Conference, of course, would be relieved of
any charge of suspicion of impartiality, but here
that excuse does not avail. 1t may be true that
some ministers are more eloquent and acceptable
than others, but tnar hardly entities them To all
the desirable places, and should not consign less
able but equally sincere and faithful workers to
starvation salaries.
No church, perhaps, contributes more to the
cause of missionary work abroad than this one
its contributions in this direction the most
liberal scale. How it can reconcile that course
with the poverty of many of its own ministers is
hard to see. Charity, told, should begin
at home; and while the maintenance of faithful
missionaries abroad is noble work, it is equally
important that those who are doing noble work
here at home shall receive enough to enable them
to live decently. 1t is neither fair right that
of two ministers living in adjoining districts, or,
mayhap, in the same town, one shall be in receipt
of perhaps $4,000 salary, receive presents and
donations at frequent intervals, while his equally
worthy brother is striving to make both ends meet
$500, without any extras worth speaking of.
It is unjust to men. 1t almost compes them to
run into debt with all its attendant evils. It has
a demoralizing influence, and no doubt often
drives men to ways repugnant to their better ma
lures, or even out of the ministry. There should
be way to get rid of this evil. II the labor
er is worthy of his hire he should at least receive
the latter after he has earned it.