Waterbury evening Democrat., 1893-08-05
SAYS THEY STARVE HIM
Pastor Smith Rises Hungry In
His Pulpit.
HIS FLOCK DISPUTE HIS WORDS

of Chickens-His Salary Has Not Been
Paid. He Says-A Sensation In the PULPIT
of n Connecticut Church.
NEW CANAAN. Conn. Aug. The Rev.
F. A. Smith of Silver Mine, Conn, has
caused a sensation in the town. From his
pulpit he informed his congregation that
he and the members of his family were
starving simply because his salary was not
forthcoming.
After preaching n good sermon and Civ
ing out the regular church notices the
Rev. Mr. Smith startled his hearers by
saving:
Il come to you this morning with
an empty stomach. l have not had a
mouthful to eat today because could not
get it. There is not even a crust in the
cupboard.
For over a week and my family have
lived entirely upon black berries and bread
The reason my family is not here this
morning is because they have no shoes to
wear. do not ask charity, but only that
You pay me the salary that you agreed to
that may not starve"
He Startled His Flock
This startling announcement of course
created a sensation in the little congrega-
ton at once. Deacon William Lane, the
only male member present, at once arose
and took the minister to task for bringing
scandal upon the church by thus publicly
announcing his private affairs from the
pulpit when he ought to have come to him
privately as the trustee and he would have
helped him.
Mrs Robert Click, who is one of the
stewards of the church. sprang to her feet
also and said she did not see how a man
could ride around all the time with a fine
horse of his own and be in a starving CON
dition. The parson replied that not one
penny OF his salary went toward the keep
of his horse that was self supporting,
but he failed to tell in what way.
The Rev. Mr.. Smith has a wife and
daughter to support upon a $500 salary
and declares he cannot get even this small
sum.
Deacon Lane, when called upon by a re-
porter, said:
We have hard work to support a preach
er here, but Mr.. Smith said he could stay
here another year for $500 and house rent.
l don't see how he can be in a starving con-
dltlon when he has over 100 chickens which
he has to feed and care for besides his
horse At special meeting held the other
night we offered to pay him his salary and
give him vacation until next October
when his year runs out, and he agreed to
take it, and we collected the money, but
the next night he refused to take his sal
airy in advance or take vacation. but said
he would stay here until October"
From the secretary of the church, Mrs
Joseph Guthrie, it was learned that up to
Aug. the church owed the minister Just
S2.44, after deducting $33 p for a grocery
bill and S2h for renairs to the DarsoD's car
riage which the church became responsible
for.
The secretary handed the s.. ~ to the
preacher on Wednesday and he accepted it,
Pastor smiths story.
Il have hen here two years next Octo-
her. said the Rev. Mr.. Smith. and have
lahored hard to build up the church and
instruct the neople in the ways OF right
eOuSneSs-
What said in the pulpit was only the
...'e truth, and if it hurts any one I can't
help it. Had accepted their invitation to
take a vacation and leave the church, l
would make myself liable TO church dis
clpllne. which says no preacher shall drop
his church without permission of the pres
ident
i have preached here for five months
and only received SIS in cash, and for two
long months without receiving penny, so
OF course had to get into debt.
Il won't say they are trying to starve
me out. but it looks that way"
There are many persons in the church
Who do not want Parson Smith to preach
to them, and are not slow about stating
their opinion of him, and say that il he in
sists upon feeding them with the bread of
life he will have to live on bread and black
berries, so far as they are concerned