New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-08-19
ECCLESIASTICAL ALIMONY."


The Rev. Montgomery Hunt Throop rector OF
St Matthew's Episcopal Church, Jersey City. has
Just done something for which. SO far as we know.
there is no precedent in the history of Christian
ity He has been rector of the church for about
two years and feeling that his work has not
been properly appreciated by the Pensioners.
he now wishes TO resign his charge 1t seems,
however that the parish is in arrears on his sal
airy to the amount of SOS 3D. and he has brought
suit for that sum in the Supreme Court. There
is. of course. nothing extraordinary in this Such
an outcome of the pastoral relation is unfortu-
naely. more common than it should be. The
remarkable feature Of the case to which we refer
Is Mr. Throop's application to the ecclesiastical
authority of the diocese of Newark. asking that
it adjudge ST. Matthew's parish indebted to him
in the sum Of $4,000 for injuries TO his health.
mind and reputation. as follows: FIRST sacri-
fees made for the benefit of the parish; second,
ovcrwork for the benefit of the parish; third.
mental pain and anxiety for the material wei
fare Of the parish fourth ditto for the spiritual
welfare of the parish; fifth, unpleasant news
paper publicity endured for the benefit of the
parish.
In explanation of this claim Mr. Throop says
that he makes it simply TO establish principle.
and If the money is awarded to him. he will,
therefore, return it to the parish That principle
Is that the contract between pastor and
church Is a life contract. like that Of marriage.
and for that reason. when through the fault Of
the parish it IL dissolved. the parish is under
obligation to pay what may be called ecclcSi-
astical alimony. This unique proceeding Will
attract widespread attention. The authorities
of the diocese will naturally ask Mr. Throop to
specify the things he has done and suffered that
cnttle him to this pecunlary balm. Most people
have an idea that Il man who enters the minis
try should stand ready to endure with cheerful
ness and patience whatever physical or mental
vicisstudes may fall TO his lot in the prosecution
of his work What sacrifices has Mr.. Throop
made that myradS Of faithful Christian minis
tors have not been gladly making ever since the
first disciples were gathered together in the up
per room in Jerusalem on the first day of Pente-
cost? Have his mental pain and anxiety for the
material welfare of his parish been greater in de-
gree than. or different in kind from. the mental
pain and anxiety endured by one Paul of Tar
srs? I'm WEAKNESS and painfunesS, says the
APOSTLE to the Gentes. in describing his minis
terial work lin watchings often. IN hunger and
thirst. in Hastings often in cold and nakcdness;
(which cometh upon me daily. the care of all
'the churches" yet somehow we don't seem to
recall any claim for extra compensation made
by Paul on the ground that he had done over
work. or had borne an unusual burden Of care.
On the contrary. he is on record as declaring:
Il have coveted no mans silver or gold, or ap-
'pare: yea. We yourselves know that these hands
'have ministered unto my necessities. and to
''them that were with me- Mr.. Throop Is Il
minister in a Church which claims the gift of
apostolica succession for its ministry. Ponder
Gus tones have been written to justify that
claim; but we venture TO say that it finds its
highest justification in the heroic and selfsacri-
fcing lives of ministers who are apostolic. not
merely in name but in word ard in deed, multi
tudes of whom. we may add. are to be found
laboring to-day in the Episcopal, as in all other
Christian bodies.
We do not desire to preindge Mr. TROOPS
claim 1t may be Just and equitable and if ii
is doubtless the diocese of Newark will so
declare 1t may be that the work of a minister
is on IA plane with that of n clerk or day aboreI
that he receives Il specified salary for doing so
much work and enduring So much mental pain
and anxiety The "hrcd man. view of work
is in considerable evidence just now But 1t is
not the popular conception of the ministry. nor
the type of ministerial character which has been
handed down the ages. Perhaps. however, the
popular conception is wrong. ana Il may even be
that they didn't know eyerythin' down in Jul
dee" Nevertheless. many Of Mr.. Throops TEL
loW-churchncn will regret that he has made this
claim Ii will give standing to the critics Of the
Church who denounce the clergy as hlrelings.
and instead Of vindicating any principle Will
tend 10 bring upon the ministry at large an OPP
probrium it does not deserve.