, 1888-10-11
HARD ON THE MINISTER.
His Poor Pay for Special servioes-A Few
Hints,

His Poor Pay for Special services-A Few
Hints.
Those old questions concerning paying
the minister for such special services as
combinations, baptisms, weddings and
funeral services are again up for agitation
and discussion. People are to be found
who think not only that a minister ought
to work for almost nothing and find him
self, but that he ought to include all
these special services in the work he does
for his regular salary. 1t is hard on the
ordinary minister. AS to the few minis
ters who receive p~rincely salaries, their
fees are large in proportion. People who
expect special services of them generally
do the fair thing as to compensation.
Such special services as ought to be per-
formed in church when the congregation
is assembled are usually considered part
of a minister's regular duty. Should a
minister be called toa private house to bap-
tie a baby there is an evident propriety
In making him a present Of some kind in
return for his kindness and as a compen-
sation for his trouble. 1t may be in cash,
or it may be some acceptable article for
table use or for household decoration.
People who give books to ministers gen.
orally make the mistake of selecting some
book which h minister does not want.
Some good people who recently gave their
pastor a copy of the Bible did not stop to
think that he already had in his library
about fifteen copies in various styles and
languages,
In wedding fees it may safely be said
that the man who gives none is n mean
fellow, not worthy to have a good wife.
He who pays only a dollar or two is not
much better, unless his abject poverty is
the cause of the smallness of the fee. Why
a minister should be expected to attend
and conduct a funeral without charge is
hare to guess. 1t is quite as hard work.
both for mind and body, as to preach IA
sermon. More attacks of clerical bron-
chitis and pneumonia nave been suffered
by going to funerals than from any other
cause. The person who stands bare
headed on the cold ground or damp boards
beside an open grave is apt to be reading
his own death warrant whila he pro-
ounces the words of the funeral service.
In n word, the minister ought to be as
squarely dealt with as any other man of
any profession or calling who renders ser
vice of any kind.
The art and science of handing the
preacher his money would seem a very
simple thing Yet there are many church
officials who lack understanding as to the
most speedy and graceful method of doing
it. As to the regular pastor, it is to be
supposed that the treasurer promptly
hands him a check on pay day. But it is
in regard to the minister who happens to
be the supply" fora Sunday or two that
embarrassment sometimes exists. Some
times the treasurer happens to be absent,
especially in summer. His mind has been
so full of preparation for his own vacation
that he has gone away without thinking
of leaving the necessary cash for the min
iSter's fee. The minister feels bashful
about asking for it. With u blank look
on his face, and with possibly n heartfelt
vacancy in his ~collapsiblc. pocketbook, he
sadly departs, hoping that somebody will
tia; Of tho matter and send him the price
OF LIS days labor. In a week or two it
comes by mail; perhaps with an apology;
perhaps as n matter of course.
Iherc are cases in which the treasurer
TO the supplying minister after tho
service, and just when some of the chief
people of the church are shaking hands
with him and telling him how greatly
they were pleased with the sermon. With
n show of official Importance, and with IA
descending smile on the preacher, the
treasurer hands over the fee in sight of all
who are present. The idea conveyed by
this proceeding is. I'm treasurer, you're
preacher; you've been preaching for
money. Here, take your pay and go"
The most graceful way Of settling with
q supply is for the treasurer or some
other gentleman connected with the
church to shake hands with the minister
in a quiet and transformations way, and
while doing so to leave in the minister's
palm the exact sum, either in gold or in
notes of the largest denomination the
sun will allow. A bank check is quite as
acceptable and as proper. The practice
of handing the minister a lot of ragged
currency aud some small change is rude
I'D IoAut.I Nat A. w.,I.u g. ~
day would rather receive small change or
ragged bills than be indefinitely hung
up" for his fee by the treasurer or com-
mitteemen, who politely say as he de-
parts: You will hear from us, sir. =
New York Press.