The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-01-14
THE PAY OF CLERGYMEN.
A CLAIM THAT THEIR SALAh'so ~"-
COMPARATIVELY SMALL.
Some Interesting Statistics oontA'n'"s
Suns Received by Several Noted "'"'
some Few Ministers Get Large s~i~'''''
hat They Are Exceptions

sur,. Received by Several Noted "'"'
some Few Ministers Get Large s~'"
bat They Are Exceptions
No man who adopts a ministerial ca
reer can be Justly charged with merce-
nary motives, for in no other profession
IA the monetary reward so small. ine,e
are. IN be sure. n few instances OF preacn-
ers who are paid large salaries Tor 'neii
sar,,,cea but the rank and file OF the
clergy receive hardly enough TO nam
tain themselves respectfully. The aver
ace ,v,lary paid to ministers in Protestant
Churches Is less than 81 900 per annum-
Even in the large metropolitan parishes
where men OF marked ability of1ciate'
the income awarded them is aitogethei
incommensurate with their talents.
Prominent lawyers like joseph H.
Choate. Robert G.. Ingerson and BenJa-
min r. Butler make all the way from
SIS 900 TO 1926, 900 each year. Among
physicians, DR.. LOOMS earns from soV''
COO to $50, 900, DR.. Polk from s4o'oVV 70
$50. 900. DIR. Sayre about SoO,OoV, ana .
dozen more might be named who earn
over s25. 600 annually. Compared TO the
salaries paid the managers OF large imam
cial institutions, the reward Of the great
est preachers in the land seems pantry
The president Of the Mutual Life lnsur-
ance company receives $4,000; Mr.. De
now "a president Of the New York Cen
trail railroad, gets $4,000, and there are
n considerable number Of wealthy corpo-
rations that pay their chief officials
from 5000 to $4,000 for years
services. The highest salary paid cler-
eyman in New York is $4,000, and Dr.
John Hall is the fortunate individual
SOME WEALTHY "PLANTs."
There are perhaps a half dozen other
preachers who get from $4,000 to Slo,-
600 hut il should be remembered that
they represent the wealthiest parishes IN
the CITY, and that they assume as much
responsibility as that devolying upon the
heads Of great moneyed institutions.
This will be apparent when we regard
the churches under their direction from
a purely financial standpoint. Trinity
Church corporation owns millions upon
millions i'm real estate. Its annual IN
come is nearly 100000. The bulk OF
this vast sum is paid out in church work
each year, and DR.. Morgan DIX, the
rector presides over its distribution.
DIR. Halls church has a plant-if this
term may be allowed-valued at S2,OOV,-
600. The income from pew rents and
contributions amounts to nearly S2oO,OOJ
per annum. Most of this is spent in
missionary work. In 1889 the congrega-
tional expenses, including the pastors
salary, the music, and all incidental
items footed up S35,6S1. The balance
of over $500, 900 was applied to domestic
and foreign missions, the relief fund OF
the Presbyterian church, and to miscel-
laneous charities. In view Of this re-
markable showing it cannot be doubted
that DR.. Hall earns his salary.
Grace church has an endowment OF
$3.50, 900. It's property is worth close to
s., 900 900, and its annual income from
pew rents and contributions averages
500, 900. The property Of Ascension
church, Fifth avenue and Tenth street,
represents an investment Of $3.50, 200.
Its revenue is about $4,000 each year.
st. Thomas church and property is val
ued at S750,000. Its pews alone rent for
So, 900 each year, and the contributions
amount to from $30,0O0 10 $4,000 more.
st. Georges church is supported entirely
by voluntary contributions. All the
pews are free. DR.. Rainsford, the rec
tor, gets nominal salary of $4,000 per
annum. He is possessed Of private
means, however, and returns his salary
to the treasury of his church. The prop
erty is valued at over 100000 and the
yearly revenue is between $40, 900 and
$50, 900. A large proportion Of this sum
is spent in parish charities. Calvary
church and property is worth at least
100000. Its contributions are very
large, averaging from $40, 900 to $50, 900.
The total income Of the parish is not far
short of $4,000 a year. and fully one
third of it goes TO general charities.
MUST LIVE EXTENSIVELY.
The Madison Square Presbyterian
church, where DR.. Charles II. Parkhurst
presides, has an income Of between
$4,000 and 100000. Its plant is prob
ably worth $35O,000
DIR. Paxton's West Presbyterian church
has an income of over $50, 900. The value
Of its plant has not been estimated.
Ten large church organizations have
been instanced here, representing a COM
, bined property worth millions upon mil
lions, from which total yearly income
is derived from pew rents and contribu-
tons Of about 81 10000 This vast sum
is, for tho most part, left to be disposed
Of by ten men. At the least, their will is
a potent factor in its distribution. 1t is
essential, therefore, that they should
each combine first class business
qualifications with learning and elo-
quence; yet the average salary they
receive per annum is only trihe over
81, 900. When it is considered that they
must keep up style Of living in accord
ancc with the dignity Of the pulpits they
occupy, besides answering substantially
innumerable private calls on their char
ity, it is not to be supposed that they can
lay by very much money against the
time when old age will deprive them OF
their usefulness.
Nothing has been said 50 far as to the
personal value of a clergyman to the
parish under his charge. Experience
has proved that the income Of pastor
ate depends mainly upon the qualities
displayed by the pastor; SO that in near
ly every instance he may be said to earn
personally the revenue Of his church,
John z. Ritter in Frank Leslies News
paper.
who's 90 Blame?
A law suit interesting to the members
OF the medical profession, as well as to
apothecaries, is before the courts in