Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1890-07-28
PASTORS AND VACATIONS.

Pastor POteat OF the Calvary Baptist
Church Speaks OF the Vacation Sea-
SON ~ lt Relates to Preachers and
Churches-Church work In Hot
Weather-The Closing OF Churches
Duties OF Laymen.
Pastor Poteat Of the Calvary Baptist
church lie soon to start upon his vacation,
and possibly this fact suggested the thoughts
of his sermon yesterday, which was a severe
philippe against vacation seeking divines in
general. He stated himself that he was
stepping upon his own toes by his remarks,
but yet he could not deny or conceal their
verify. He preached to large. congrega-
ton.
He chose his text from Mark, ii, 81:
'Come ye yourselves apart into desert
place and rest awhile"
Jesus is here proposing to himself to take
q day off, to take vacation, short period
Of rest, said the preacher, referring to his
text. But the sermon Is In the fact that
Jesus did not take this vacation on that day,
He saw the condition of his
people and did not have the
heart to rest apart from them. This text has
wrought much evil in the church. One day
some overworked minister saw 1t and thought
he would follow its advice and take vaca-
ton, in the idea that he was following the
spirit of the master. Hereby hangs lesson
which it behooves all Christian men to take
heed of. What has come to pass that the
minister In the church is no longer needed
The city is still here, and its varied life goes
on as before. But the minister is on his vaca-
ton and the church is closed. speak as 9
minister. They are apt to become tired,
supersensitive. and craving of rest. am
not one of this kind, and yet
the class has a true origin. In large
fields of work pastors sometimes become
overworked and in need of rest. Some con-
gregations seem to think the minister is an
official, he is a saint in the community, who
should do all of the praying and holy work
of the church. I ask this question: How
many Christians in New Haven have come to
the credentials committees of our churches
with q young man or woman and have said,
This is one whom the Lord has given usq
The minister Is left to do all of this work.
Even when pastor is given an assistant you
are only making official work which should
bear an official stamp. The tendency of
Christian work should be general rather than
official and if this state of affairs should ever
come to pass ministers would never need q
vacation from overwork.
So far as can see there is really no good
ground for ministers to 60 away during the
summer or for congregations to fall off dur
ing this period. I should think business
men would find restful service in the
church on Sunday morning. It ought to be
recreation. Barring the few who go away it
would seem that church attendance ought to
be as steady and as enthusiastic in summer
as in winter. The suggestion, "olose of
church." reminds me of another point. I
insist, If the church is simply club which
has it's seasons Of meeting and sea.
sons of rest, let it pay taxes just
as every other society of the
kind does. The church should be open at all
times. II has not reached it's highest point.
We should have relays and alternates just az
every other great organization has. We
should become great educator of the peo-
pie. We should have our doors ever open,
and our work should know no stop or him
derance from season or human customs.
Then would we approach the high standard
which is our ultimate end.
A large congregation also listened to Pastor
Poteat's remarks at last evenings service.