Wichita eagle., 1890-02-11
THE PAY OF CLERGYMEN.
A CLAIM THAT THEIR SALARIES ARE
COMPARATIVELY SMALL.


COMPARATIVELY SMALL.
Some Interesting Statistics Containing ths
Sums Received by Several Noted Mon.
Some Few Ministers Get Large Salaries.
but They Are Exceptions.
No man who adopts ministerial ca
reer can be justly charged with merce-
nary motives, for in no other profession
is the monetary reward SO small. There
| are, to be sure, few instances of preach
ers who are paid large salaries for their
services, but the rank and file Of the
clergy receive hardly enough to main
tain themselves respectfully. The aver
age salary paid to ministers in Protestant
churches is less than S, 900 per annum.
Even h the large metropolitan parishes.
where men of marked ability officiate,
the income awarded them is altogether
hacommensurate with their talents.
Prominent lawyers like Joseph II.
Choate, Robert G. Ingerson and Benja-
min F. Butler make all the way from
SIS. 900 to $125, 600 each year. Among
physicians, DR.. Loomis earns from $50,
900 to 500, 600, DR.. Polk from $40, 900 to
$4,000, DR.. Sayre about $50, 600, and a
dozen more might be named who earn
over s25, 900 annually. Compared to the
salaries paid the managers of large fnan-
cial institutions, the reward Of the great
est preachers in the 1and seems paltry.
The president of the Mutual Life Insur-
ance company receives $50, 600; Mr. De
pew, as president of the New York Cen
trail railroad, gets $50, 900, and there are
a considerable number Of wealthy corpo-
rations that pay their chief officials
from $685. 900 to $50, 900 for a years
services. The highest salary paid cher
gyman in New York is $40, 600, and DR..
John Hall is the fortunate individual
,sOME WEALTHY "PLANTS"
There are perhaps half dozen other
preachers who get from $4,000 to $15,-
600, but it should be remembered that
they represent the wealthiest parishes in
the city, and that they assume as much
responsibility as that devolving upon the
heads of great n,oneyed 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 in real estate. Its annual in
come is nearly $500, 600. The bulk of
this vast sum is paid out in church work
each year, and DR.. Morgan Dix, the
rector, pxesides over its distribution.
DR.. Halls church has a plaintiff this
term may be e.allowed-valued at So, ,oOO,-
600. The income from pew rents and
contributions amounts to nearly $3.50, 200
per annnm- Most of this is spent in
missionary work. mjsS9 the congrega-
tonal expenses, including the pastors
salary, the music, and all incidental
items, footed up $35, 1881. The balance
of over $seo, coo was applied to domestic
and foreign missions, the relief fund Of
the Presbyterian cianreh, and to Hiscd-
laneoas charities. In view of this re-
markable showing It cannot be doubted
that DR.. Hail earns his salary.
Grace church has an endowment of
$3.50, 600. Its property is worth close to
81, 600 GOO, and its annual income from
pew rents and contributions averages
500, 900. The property of Ascension
church, Firth avenue and Tenth street,
represents an investment Of $S5O;OO0.
Its revenue is about $50, 900 each year.
St Thomas church and property is va2-
ued at $75G, 200. Itspe alone rent for
$50, 900 each year, and the contributions
amount to from $4,000 to 10000 more
St. Georges church is Supported entirely
by voluntary cunsssbuti<Ms. Ali the
pews are free De-. Rainskor.l, the rec
tor, gets a nominal salary Of $16, 900 PEI
annum. He is possessed of private
means, however and returns his salary
to the treasury Of hischurch. The prop
erty is valued at over $500, 600 and the
yearly revenue is between 80, 600 and
$50, 600. A large proportion of this sum
Is spent in parish charities. Calvary
church and property IS worth at heast
$500, 900. It's contributions are very
large, averaging from sc, 900 to $50. 600.
The total income of the parish is not far |
short OF 500, ,oo0 year. and fully one |
third Of it goes to general charities.
MUST LIvK KxPESsrvELY.
The Madison Square Presbyterian |
church, where Dr.. Charles II. Parkhurss |
prasides, has an income of between |
$50, 900 and $4,000. Its plant is prob
ably worth $3.50 500
DR.. PAxton's W est Presby tzzim church |
has an income of over $5a, coo Tie vxlue |
of its plant has nos been estimated.
Ten large church organizations have
been instanced here, representing com
bined property worth millions upon mil
lions. from which a total yearly income
is derived from pew rents and contribu-
tions of about 81 ,eee, 600 This vast sum
Is, for the most part, lft to be disposed
cf by tan usen. At the bsase, their viii il
a potent factor IN its distribution. Il n
therefore, thai taey should
each combine first chss business
with bearnina and elo-
quence; yet the average salary they
receive per annum = only q triAe over
$11 o00. When it is considered tat they
must keep up style Of LIVING Ia accord
ance with the dignity Of the pulQits they
occupy, besides Answering ssbssAuta2ly
private calls on their char