The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1888-04-21
correspondence.
SETTLING PASTORS.

GROSS PARK, ILL.,, March %, 1888.
To the Editor of The Uniuersalist::
1 wish to express my approval of the
sentiment uttered in The UNIvERsA11sT
of Marsh "a, regarding the hasty action
of many churches in settling pastors
The subject was introduced by a quota
ton from the Advance, calling attention
to Western church which has fallen into
disgrace and its very existence rendered
doubtful by calling to its pastorate a
man unknown, and as the sequel shows
every way unworthy of his sacred calling.
The editorial to which reference is
made contains caution and few words
of advice regarding the settlement of
well to heed. 1t seems, from this ex
tract taken from the AdUdnce, that other
churches have also suffered from the
eloquent" "taking" and tramp" preach
er. ALI churches having an independent
spirit and Congregational form of gov
eminent are liable to be imposed upon,
unless close precautions are taken to
know the character of it's ministers. To
secure this result concert OF action
must be had.
The evil effects OF settling unworthy
ministers, or those not in fellowship,
truth, or denominat alton, have been exper
fenced by many parishes that are now
seeking a place of repentance" and
mourning over their divided and DESC
late condition. There are several other
churches suffering from that indepen-
dent spirit which led them to settle min
listers not in our fellowship, either to
assert their independence OF any i'm
piled ecclesiastical authority, or through
their indifference to the character of our
ministry. The folly of this course of &C.
ton has become apparent, when in many
cases it is too late to repair the mischief.
Nearly all the parishes which have be-
come inactive or have died, were destroy
ed by the employment OF ministers not
in good and regular standing, or who
went our to a radicalism that destroyed
their faith in Christianity. Such min
istry is fatal to any church, and we can
not be too careful to secure men who have
not only regular but good standing in
our church. The Committee Of Fellow
, ship should be careful whom they fellow.
ship and recommend to our churches.
OF course committees are fallible and
may make mistakes, or ministers "may
fall from grace" after receiving the fell
lowship of the Convention; buttheir char
acter is generally known, and churches
need not be ignorant in relation there
to.
A little delay, and letter of inquiry to
the Committee of Fellowship or State
Superintendent would in most cases
prevent fatal mistakes. Self interest
should prompt church to protect itself
from imposition. Churches remote from
our center, and not applying to the proper
and constitutional source of information,
are liable to be imposed upon by those
men who are often eloquent" and "tak-
ing;" but whose Christian characters are
defective, and soon after their settlement
develop "cranky" notions, extreme ten,
denotes and unreliability OF character
which involves themselves and churches
in trouble ending in spiritual desolation
and death.
1t is indeed strange that so many of
our Western churches have been thus de-
ceived, and many of them more than
once. The evil in this State is rapidly
growing less, and there are few, if any
parishes which will again be deceived in
this matter. They now examine a minis
tors credentials and will not accept the
services of any one not in good and reg
ular standing, and whose record is not
good. This action on the part OF our
churches is bearing its legitimate fruits
in raising the standing of the Christian
ministry and bringing into our church
only good men and women as teachers
and leaders of the people. Our churches
are therefore receiving that recognition
which they deserve, and are having more
and more flavor with the people," 1t
is of the utmost importance that we have
ministers whose Christian spirit and
character is unquestioned. 1 trust our
churches will carefully read the editorial
referred to, and give good heed to its
words of wisdom.
l.. W. BRIGHAM.