Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-05-26
Some Unpublished Facts.

HE editorial discussion Ill the rel1g1C US press
of the reference to unpaid salaries induces
me TO trespass upon your courtesy by Offering
you some hitherto unpublished facts. The
Methodist minister is a worker without wages.
He agrees not only to go to any field but to ac-
cept such remuneration as the congregation he
serves chooses to give him. Were he to at
tempt to demand the amount promised him, he
would soon learn that it was gratuity and not
collectable by law. The word salary can only
be used IN an accommodated sense by Meth
odist. When it is SO used it simply means the
amount estimated TO be sufficient for the min
isters support, The estimated allowance of
the early itinerant was such pittance that he
barely managed to live upon it by the most
rigid economy and self-denial. His family
rarely enjoyed the luxuries of life often were
denied the necessities of life, and in not in
frequent instances were reduced to a condition
OF terrible distress. The man of God called to
preach, disciplined by long and faithful ser
wee, was compelled IN many instances to retire
from the ministry when best fitted for it, SIM
ply to provide for the present and future neces-
sities of himself and family. When by careless
methods, or lack of method, the salary esti-
mated was unpaid at the end of the year, the
preacher had no redress. Although involved
in debt, it may be, incurred upon the basis of
the estimated support, he had to borrow money
to pay his debts and get to his next appoint
ment. perhaps to pass through the same ex-
perfence. Never free from embarrassment,
driven to the exercise Of the most rigid econ
omy his distress of mind was only equaled by
the sufterings of his body.
The Heroic Remedy.
THE General Conference, afflicted by the ap-
palling deficiencies in salaries, adopted a
heroic remedy. 1t caused to be published in the
minutes record of the claims, receipts and de-
ficiencies. This, it was hoped, would not only
be rebuke for the past, but a stimulus to do
better in the future. The records are very in
accurate. Many Conferences did not report at
ALI others made but partial report; others de-
manded an accounting of all presents and often
onset one mans deficiency by another mans
donation. By this happy kind of fnanciering
Conferences which were really deficient many
thousands of dollars appeared to have sur
plus. All this but renders the record more ap-
palliIg. Thirty-fve Conferences from 1888 to
1872 40 years, reported deficiency of S. 0O0
OF these Conferences IA reported each great
er total deficiency than the value Of their par
sonage property. Their parsonages were valued
at less than 81, 500, ,00O but the deficiencies were
over 81 500. .000 If the parsonages were to be
sold to pay the debt it would still leave over
81 ,O00. 600 unpaid, which would take every one
of the I'll churches in the State of Maine.
These same IA Conferences last year were de-
ficient over $4,000 or over 5000 each. Fifty
five Conferences last year reported a deficiency
OI S0UO;UUU.
1t is not high estimate to say that the de-
ficiency in the salaries of Methodist ministers
last year was $500 900. From comparison of
previous years in a large number of Confer
ences it is safe to say that the deficiencies from
1873 to 1890 have been sl,000000 every three
years. This makes S. 600, 600 to be added to the
figures previously given. From 1888 to 1880 the
deficiencies, without interest, reached nearly
Sl2, 0,000 without computing the deficiencies
for 40 years previous to 1888. If the lowest rate
of interest business men would decide to be
equitable were to be added. it is evident that
here is debt almost incredibly enormous. We
need to remember, as the New York Christian
AdUocdte has said, These deficiencies occurred
for the most part on salaries of ministers who
could least afford to bear the loss. Churches
which gave large salaries usually paid them in
full The delinquents were churches which
promised only meager support to their pastors
and did not pay even that"