Telegram-herald., 1890-04-09
THAT CHAPLAINCY.
Rev. Mr.. Gibson Explains Why He Lef
the Soldiers Home

Ahe >Nl4fcfS'
To the Editor Of the TELEcsaN HERALD.
Several conflicting statements none
of them exactly recording the truth,
and some Of them not verv compliment
ary) have appeared in the papers re-
garding my retirement from the SOL
diers' Home. For certain reasons
would ike TO make a statement, which,
trust, Will answer the many queries
have received. 49,
There never has been a chaplain at
the Soldiers Home, for reasons known
only TO the board of managers. | have
been addressed by such as Gov. Luce,
Gen. Alger, Judge Brown, Gen. Pierce
and Col. Wells, aud for over three years
performed the duties usually attached
10 that Office. Occasionally l hattered
myself that l really was chaplain, hav-
ing so many apparent proofs that was
SO in fact; but when faced the pay
roll and saw It blush with shame at the
the SO a month opposite my name,
then understood why "actlng chaplain
followed my name. | then understood
why the Michigan Soldiers Home had
no chaplain.
This stubborn proof found on the pay
roll explains why | do not weep that !
am no longer even acting chaplain" >"
and do not envy my successor. No, |
never had even an unpleasant word
from Col. Wells when he was COM
mandant; neither have ! had any un-
pleasantness with Gen. Pierce. Both
of these gentlemen have treated me
with uniform kindness and courtesy.
Both of them have repeatedly declared
TO me that they were we'll satisfied with
my work, so there was no "trouble in
the family" and no charge of lncom-
potency has ever reached my ears. Of
course do not known what has been
said 10 others.
About year ago when Gov. Luce
was likely TO get an increase of salary
from $1,000 TO $1,000, thought he would
have a fellow feeling" tor me when
suggested TO him that my $50 a month
was not very muniheent salary for a
clergyman; but was crushed by letter
from him TO the effect that the clergy
men Of Grand Rapids and vicinity could
be secured at 81 Sunday or SIC a
month, 81 a month less than the State
was paying me, and that the board pro-
posed 20 secure their services. In closing
he remarked he "hOpcd that plan would
meet with my approval" etc. / vouch-
safed no reply, knowing II Was of small
moment whether said plan met with
my approval or not; but have waited
whole year for the plan 10 mature and
the blow TO fall, as il now has.
Now, Mr. Editor, you and your read
ers know all about It, and | trust the
explanation will be entirely satlsfac-
tory. Certainly this desire on the part
of Gov. Luce 10 conduct an economical
administration of the State affairs is
highly commendable, but 1t q hard on
the poor preachers. Imagine DIR. Tup-
per, Dr. Fair. or DR.. Fluhrer, riding out
to the Home and back and preaching
two sermons for 81, There are some
times siI funeral sermons 20 be preached
during month, so unless a clergy
man can be secured who "a willing to
preach that many funeral sermons for
81, 10 would seem that the new plan is
not going 20 save very much after all.
It NAV hc the Governor will divide his
additional salary with these clergvmen,
rather than 70 have deficit
in the "cnaplaia's fund.- II 50 be
%. such a fund exists. If he does
not 40 so. 7 can not see where the new
acting chaplain Rev. r. &. Craw-
ford. y % set hs pay. Il may be said
that these c.er-ymen. Brother Crawford
in particular. ought e. preach for love
Of souls, and not for money. but why
would not tho same beautiful theory
apply % az TIE other officials At the
home, and evan % Governor Luce HIM
seiff Why = he not satisfied with the
glory attached % his Officer Glory
makes Il weak broth, and 7 am very
ANXIOUS. for NJ. Crarford's sake. that
some way can be provided. 80 that this
new plan car be carried out. s1d be get
st least something for hs iaDor, but
do not see hoN Is csu ba done.
Falthfu lv v0urs.
fHARFre k. frrFeov.
Grand Rapids, April =. is30.