The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-01-13

isan exceptional instance; although, consid-
erlng the size Of some of the souls. perhaps
the salary is sufficient. The minister is not
expected TO take any part IN politics, or to
go 70 the theater. or dance, or play cards,
or drive fast horse, OF have any fun ex-
cept of devotional sort. He is expected
70 devote twelve out of every twenty-f0
hours to the affairs of his parish, conduct
the weekly prayer-meeting and the Sun
day-school, get up two original sermons
every week, and Keep peace in the choir.
lie receives his salary on the hlt-or-mlss
plan, and when ii is hOpelessly In arrears,
that he will not have the face TO ask for his
dues. When he is hired to preach. the
services of his wife are supposed to be
thrown in for full measure. Himself and
wife and children are considered the prop
pafronized aud criticized in a way that
would make professional man,
or merchant, or a meenan,
shotgun. The minister, however, is ex-
them to try it on that for awhile. 1t is not
surprising that there are signs of a revolu-
ton. The deacOns and elders and other
middle men" who have been standing be-
tween so long will now have to stand from
under. Strikes are the order of the day. 1t
Is hardly to be supposed that ministers IN
general will put so literal construction on
the word as the two reverend brethren from
Georgia and Ohio, and yet, doubtless, more
than one member of the profession, while
deploring the action of these pugilistic dis
pensers of the gospel. felt in his bones how
good 1t must have seemed to strike straight
out from the shoulder once in lifetime.
Ministers are generally considered TO be
sort OF compromise between men and angels,
but until they are treated with the consid-
Grafton due 10 the latter, they may be ex-
cused for exhibiting some of the character
istics of the former.
Speaking of ministers. one is reminded of
the stew they are in regarding
the Inauguration ball. Having secured
a so-called religious" President they
propose to make him the means of forcing
the public TO adopt their rule of conduct
IL is something like the pressure the tenn
perance people brought to bear upon Mrs.
President Hayes, causing her To overthrow
the customs of a century and Danish wine
from the state dinners at the White House.
This being in measure private and per-
sonal affair she attempted to comply with
their wishes and her own, although it is
SAID the wicked caterers struggled Roman
punch in the oranges But this is not Gen.
Harrison's ball. 1t is given by the
capital city of the Nation to celebrate his
inauguration as President, and he is an
honored guest. Besides this, Mr.. Harrison
and his family belong to a church that does
not utterly condemn the custom of dane
ing. Very likely there are members of his
family who dance and see no harm in it.
Because the Methodist Church disapproves
of dancing is no reason why they should
dictate to members of the Presbyterian or
any other church. Probably there is not
one Methodist minister, who is declaiming
against the inauguration ball, that does not
number among his own Pensioners
some who dance, and who would dance
in spite of all he could say. There
are great many honest, virtuous,
respectable people. good people and valued
church-members, who see no objection to
dancing. The people in the country who
would Danish dancing from the Inaugural
ton festivities constitute a very small mir
nority. For President Harrison to forbid
IL would be TO make himself ridiculous. not
only in the eyes of our own people.
but also in those of other countries, There
is not ruler in the world vould( prevent
his subjects dancing in honor of his coming
into power; for President Harrison to do SO
would be absurd. The maKagers of the
inaugural ball have certainly too great
sense of propriety TO permit any revelry
that would be out of Keeping with the Dig
nifty and honor OF tRe occasion. The min
listers mean well. bat they are trying to ex-
tend their authority beyond their juris-
dictlon. Dohot call upon the President TO
winistrayion. IDA HARPER.
EERRElHAUTg, Ind.