The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1893-11-14
AGED CLERGYMEN.
How Do They Live in Their Old Age After
Laboring All Their Lives on Barely
Living Salaries?-Topic at the Congre-
gational Club Last Evening


The first meeting of the Congregation
al Club for the season, was held at the
Preble House last evening, President J.
t. Merrill presiding. About 50 gentle
MEN were present and partook of the
dinner.
After that short business meeting
was held. Mr. John E. Warren of West
brook, was elected a member. Then
the following committee were appointed
to nominate board of officers for the
coming year: Messrs. Hinkley of State
street, True of Williston, Shaylcr of
High street; Carter of Second Parish;
Wright of st. Lawrence street, and Card
of Woodfords.
President Merrill then introduced an
old friend and co-laborer in the Iowa
field, and ex-president of the Chicago
Congregational Club, but now resident
of New Haver, and engaged in present
ing subject of Importance. This was
Rev. DR.. N. H. Whittlesey, of the Ma
tional Council. DR.. Whittlesey said that
his first sermon was preached in Maine,
in Brownf1eld. This was when he was
in the Yale Theological School. His
subject last evening was the provision
for superannuated clergymen. The gov
eminent provides that the officers of it's
army and navy shall devote themselves
entirely to it's service; gives them living
pay; and in return for their loyalty and
devotion, continues them honored and
respected on the retired list. The low
est commissioned officer receives about
$500 year as his retired pay. We say
that this is just and fair. Similarly the
church needs few young men every
year, $50 or 200, as officers of it's estab-
lishment. Young men of education are
is demanded. Some help is given tow
ards the education, and then the de-
voted labor of the young officer is ex-
pected to be given for his lifetime. He
is guaranteed pay while he works. He
An old bachelor minister is about as USE
full as one half of a pair OF shears. a. So
after the young man has selected
beautiful, noble and accomplished young
woman for his wife, he is given a salary
equal to half what the lowest commits
stoned army officer gets, two thirds as
much as roller in a Pennsylvania iron
worker, three quarters as much as the
income of French Canadian family in
Massachusetts factory town. And then,
of course, he is retired on three quarters
pay when he becomes too old to work.
But hold! This is hardly so That
point has really been overlooked. His
salary has been 500 or $500 year, and
when he is worn out that ceases. Con-
gregationai churches are pleasant people
to work for; but they have not thought
how brief are the earning days of the
clergymen. Go through your
PAP churches of Maine, and
those who are over go
years of age can be counted literally on
the fingers of your two hands. But if
their earning days are few they live long.
Half live to be Is. So when those minis
tiers reach go, the problem before them is
how to live fifteen years on nothing
year. do not know how they solve the
problem. Yet they do it. But some of
them are left in sad restitution, and it is
in behalf of such that I wish to speak.
The Catholics take care of their clergy
to the last. The Methodists spend $780,
600 a year for this purpose; the Presby-
terians have for it fund of 81 200. 900;
l.
busy in other things to attend to this, and
they have beggarly $4,000 year for
the purpose.
Two hundred years ago, a minister's
station was life passionate, but the rest
lessness of modern life has brought Con-
gregationalists practically to the itineran-
cy Of the Methodists, without that pro-
vision for old age which has distinguish
ed the Methodist church since the days
of Wesley.
Today, in Maine, by state fund, 1e
aged ministers are receiving altogether
$1400 each year, nearly 300 EACH That
is something, if it is regular and can be
depended on.
The National Council aims to supple
ment the local aid in the states. There
are returned missionaries, superannuated
preachers and families that have served
in different states. and have no claim ON
any one; all these must be helped. The
National Council ministerial fund can
take care of such, and also OF. those who
have labored in sparsely settled portions
of the country under the Home Mission
airy Society.
The ministerial fund is increased by a
contribution made on one Sunday of
year in every church. The nucleus was
$4,000, left seven years ago by Mrs.
Knowles of Worcester. ~ The fund has
been increased to 5000 by recent eff
forts, and is to be increased rapidly now
by systematic effort.
At the conclusion, remarks were made
by several members of the club.