Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-04-13
THE MODERN MARTYR,
he Who Would Preach the Gospel
Must be Prepared to Suffer.
ADEQUATE SALARIES VERY RARE.
And When His Powers Begin to Fail He is
Kicked Out to Starve.
WORLDLY IDEAS IN CHURCH FINANCE
WRITTEN FOR THE DISPATCH. /

WRITTEN FOR THE DISPATCH
AT a large meeting of Methodist ministers
held in New York last week, a paper was
read by Rev. DR.. Hamilton, of the Simpson
Church, in Brooklyn, that created sensa-
tion by its piercing truth and profound
pathos. Many of the clergymen, it is said,
wept, and sang the closing doxology with
quiyering voices. The subject was the
casting out of Methodist ministers-and as
for that all the clergy might perhaps be in
cluded-when they grew old, and of their
dire and desperate struggles with poverty
when thus superannuated.
"There is style OF picture burned into
wood with hot irons, and want nv words
to burn," said DR.. Hamilton. He illustrated
the condition Of these poor ministers by
citing the famous Flaek case in which a
rich. inscriptions man endeavored, by a
fraudulent divorce, to discard his old and
feeble wife in order to marry younger
woman. This proceeding, the reverend
doctor denounced-as do all respectable
men-as "an Internal crime-a piece of
devilish malignity for which Flack al
though convicted and sentenced did not get
tlthe of what he deserved" In using this
illustration of his point DIR. Hamilton
seemed to intimate that the Methodist
Church was as wicked, as unscrupulous and
as subject to blame for its treatment of min
listers as was Flack in his underhand en-
deavors to get rid of his old wife in order to
secure a new one.
A DEMAND FOR NEW MEN.
The reverend divine took his text from
Samuel where he was told by the elders of
Israel, behold thou arr old" and, as his
sons were unworthy to succeed him, they
wanted new king TO reign. Samuel, feel
ing that he was not yet too old for sense
and judgment, rather demurred at being
pushed out for younger map, but was
overruled and finally gave up his position
as head of affairs and retired into obscurity.
AS the elders and children of Israel then
showed themselves peryersely in favor of
new men, 50 even now do the Methodist
elders and members of the Methodist
Church-and all of the churches for that
matter-the world over. The people in old
Athenian days were so stupidity fond of
novelty and change that they got sick and
tired of Aristides. because he was so just,
virtuous and incorruptible. 1t was through
Ills ftTy LIdb uc was OSLEdClLcu
in order to secure the ruling of a less pure
and patriotic statesman, but one who was
more distinguished for tact. strategy and
sagacity.
The same human nature is shown by the
people of to-day-even the church people
who profess to live more in accordance with
the spirit of the golden rule than the world
lings outside of the pale-when they show
that they do not desire high character,
fervent piety, and real goodness so much as
they want brilliant talent, drawing power,
some one who can tickle the ears of the
worldlings, and make stir and sensation.
The same spirit thus shown in religion is as
fully displayed in politics as it was among
the Grecian heroes of antiquity. No Repub-
lican to speak Of thinks Democrat should
remain in power however exalted his char
acter or distinguished bis ability. No
Democrat who desires to stand well with his
party will allow that Republicans can be
patriots as pure, statesmen as able, public
men rs honest as those Jeffersouian in their
principles, and Jacksonian in their prac-
tice.
POLITICAL METHODS OF YEARS AGoNE.
A politician discoursing upon the Adams
administration said of the party in power:
"We will turn them all out as sure as there
is God in heaven"
"Well, but how can you say so. Colonel
johnson, before You see what course the ad-
will adopt? Suppose it con-
suits the public interest, and pursues a
course that you think right?" said another.
ST don't care" said Colonel johnson,
speaking hotly, "for by the eternal, if they
act as pure as the angels that stand at the
right hand of the throne of God, we'll put
them down."
This same spirit of political malevolence
was shown against George Washington, the
savior of the republic; it inspired the mis-
and appalling abuse of
Abraham Lincoln, the idol of the Repub-
lican party: it filled the organs of the oppo-
sition with hostility and bitterness to Gen.
eral Grant, the great soldier of the nation.
when his name was proposed for third
term. The fierce hatred, the merciless at
tacks, the malicious mud-throwing, as ex-
hibited in politics. prove that men in race
for partisan prominence. in the push for
their own way and will, regardless of either
moral law or gospel teaching, are but little
behind the barbariaus of the past in reckless
OF the rights of others, and de-
to grind to the earth all who op-
pose them, if fate or fortune grants them
chance.
"Human nature is always and everywhere
in the most important points substantially
The same," says Whstely. 1t may vary cir
and externally in manners,
times and regions, but fundamentally 1t is
The same. That mans inhumanity to man
makes countless thousands mourn is shown
70 be as true throughout all conditions OF
life in these later days as when kings were
yrants of the state and lords dominated the
eudal hosts of the Middle Ages.
OFFICERS OF THE CHURCH.
The executive offices of the church are
lot filled by the saints. Emerson SAYS that
charitable associations and comm munities
founded on religious principles should have
Judas as a steward, while the other Offices
nay be filled with good men. 1t is a
,roverb as to the Shakers that they send
he devil to market to do the trading-and
he conclusion of the world seems to be that
business cannot be run without rogues.
With men in power in the church who
axe little thought OF the ministers of the |
gospel, save as marketable commodities to
,e held as long as valuable, and dismissed |
when a better turns up, it is not wonderful |
hat, like the baseball players, the most |
popular are secured at the highest rates, |
while the modest good ministers sink into |
poverty unless they have laid by main !
enance The same tendency in men to !
ecure what best pleases them at the lowest |
ates is not confined to the clerical profession,
IS Df. Hamilton seems te intimate, but ex- |
ends into every profession and calling and
The poorhouses are filled |
With the wrecks of men and women who |
oiled for small wages in their youth, and |
7hen they grew old were sent adriit by |
heir employers without a thought of sup |
porting them, when superannuated-In any |
rav save by the establishment of paupers' |
ZONES or charity asylums. Thousands of |
women who have done good and not evil all |
he DAYS of their lives, have to struggle |
With direst poverty without any provision |