Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1896-03-19


onstrates n magnaminity of spirit
and kecnnesS of perception seldom
met with. Sympathy for the COM
poSitOr alone restraints us from sep
arating the whole. But suffice it to
say that he genteely and most gen.
erously strips the old, tried and faith
full ministers of the western confer
ence of all honor, ability and purity
of motive, and would respectfully in
form the public that the western con-
ference has been theological hospi-
tai for every preacher that has not
run away at the first chance, or has
in amy way exercised the principle
of loyalty, and the many men who
have come and gone, We're the men.
Yes, we remember some of them and
some of the circuit will never forget
them. But, the residuum have not
been the survival of the fittest." Then
why did you not keep these Wander
ing lights when you had them? Shall
! tell you. You demanded so much
and paid them so little. while many
of them never did get ministerial
standing,' as YOU term it, And are
you aware sir, that the curriculum
and ordination Of the p. NJ. church
will admit Il minister into full stand
ing in any dissenting denomination
IN America. Again he speaks more
cloqucntIy and reveals to us the mo-
tlvcs that actuates these mems sins,
and tells us that they are "Primitive
Mcthodists for revenue"
What revelation. No one but
philosopher could have made such Il
discovery. Men preaching for "rev-
enue." Yes, my dear brother, fear
you are correct. and | only wish Won
could see their bank books and real
estate, and another book that most
Of them would not want YOU to see.
or meet them coming home from
quarterly meeting after they have.
received this "revenuc." am sure
you would be induced to quit your
present vocation, of doing everything
for nothing, and get your part of this
"reVenuC.'
one of these revenue Primitives
was so anxious about revenue that
while he was pastor in your city, re-
fused $4,000 per year in Il large, fine
church, and with many opportuni-
ties for his family-only $1,000 more
than you were paying him. Another
man, 'revenue Primitive, "recognized
to be one of the best preachers in the
northwest, has been offered $1,000
three times over. But he loves rev.
anuc to such Il degree that he pinches
along on half that sum in order that
he may enjoy the distinction of be-
ing Il "Primitiye Methodist for rcve-
nue." And still another of these
"revenuc Primitives," born and raised
in this country, perfectly American,
with none of the Englishisms that
some have to struggle with, was So
licited to leave us, and accept Il
church in strong denomination at
a salary of $500 per year more than
he can possibly get on his present
charge. Then think of these men
going up and down this country eN-
ertng every power to help the
church and save men. At the same
time deprive their families of many
pleasures that they may help those
in the unfortunate conditions of life.
Then to be held up to ridicule and
contempt by, | don't know who, and
care less. But will venture to say
by one that never has, and never will
suffer for honest conviction, or in any
most righteous cause.
Finally he rises to a climax, and
tells of some, Talking sometimes
with tears, about holding on" | con-
fess my ignorance, and declare that
| cannot see any special argument
in that statements; or dishonor or
even weakness III any person being
moved at the probable death or de
parturc Of an old friend. Neither do |
sec that dry face and a hard heart
is an indication Of strength and SUI
pcriority. But can see that Il man
who can snerr at the emotions of am
others grief is cNpcrimcntally ig-
noraut and absolutely destitute of
the higher sensabilitics of Christian
character, and needs to follow Il
! creator LIGHT to the crave side Of an