The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-02-13
A POLITICAL PASTOR
A Church That Wanted a Re
publican Minister.
so ADVERTISED FOR ONE
But it Turned Out That He
Voted for Cleveland.
THEN THERE WAS A BIG ROW
Wealthy Men of the Congregation Re-
fuse Support on This Account
But the Majority Stand by
the Parson.
so ADVERTISED FOR ONE
THEN THERE WAS a BIG ROW
the Parson.

I
towns, "nestles among the hills in the
eastern part of Vermont, had, until
two years ago, led a prosperous and
quiet life as regards its one church.
At that time its pastor decided to
| leave.
Every available method of filling the
! gap was tried for a considerable time.
| supplies" were engaged and rejected
| Temporary substitutes were found III
the pastors of the villages near by and
| in those of the professors of an adj
| joining college whose names were pre-
ceded by "Rev"
But all this. it was seen, was but
temporary Church affairs could not
| prosper until some one was found who
could not only fill the pulpit but the
little white parsonage on the main
street. a committee of seven men and
women was appointed, who met with
great regularity at the Office of the
chief lawyer of the place.
The committee, whose leading spirits
were women, found no easy task. They
realized that the pastor they wanted
must have certain qualifications, not
always found in one man. They
Nd1ItE0 u YOUNG 1lldlts 50 IlltAb liz ii@JGItl
keep pace with the thought Of the
day. yet one who was already married.
|. Much thought and much correspond
ence We're devoted to the subject with
out avail, The church-goers Of the
town grew tired of constant change
The committee finally reached the
conclusion that there was no reason
why business methods should he out
oh
to advertise
This was the result Of their decision.
which appeared in the Outlook in
September, 1884,
WANTED "A minister for Il progress
siye country parish; must be young.
married, a Republican, and interested
in social and club work; salary. 81 200
and parsonage. Address SUPPLY
COMMITTEE, Hartford, vt.
The insertion of that word 'Republi-
can" was the beginning OF trouble.
No one knows surely who was respon-
sible for it, though certain members
Of the committee at once disclaimed
any knowledge of it.
The advertisement was effective, at
least The religious journal in which
il appeared kindly gave it additional
publicity by strong editorial article
denouncing any attempt to bring
partisan politics into religion An
swers began to pour in from all
sources. Some were merely written in
spirit Of indignation at the notice,
and others were from ministers, with
and without politics. who wanted
the position.
The one that met with most favor
ran as follows:
Sept 5, 1894.
supply Committee, Hartford. Vt:
Dear Sirs Your advertisement in
the Outlook was especially interesting
to me, not only as direct and novel
way Of geMing the attention of min
listers desiring a parish, but also be-
cause your description corresponds 50
fully with my own case. A progressive
church in which there is a desire for
social work is just the most attractive
field for me.
THE church Of to-day should certain
ly be keenly interested in every phase
Of the social and political life of the
time. But its zeal for wise and righfe-
ous dealing with present-day problems
should not be bounded By the lines Of
any party or class And while the pas
tor OF church, and the members. too.
may have their decided preferences and
convictions which may bind closely 10
their political organizations. the whole
work Of preaching and Christian en-
deavor iii the church should bear no
exclusive or partisan name, and should
deal with all ideas and men and things
ON the highest plane Of moral and
Christian truth and practice. The peo-
pie, therefore, among whom the min
lister is doing his work should never
have occasion to think Of him as a Re
publican or a Democrat, q Prohibition
list or Il Populist But he should toe
such man that they must think OF
him always as having no malice and all
charity. but fearless rs well as kind
in rebn1ing evil and calling for righte-
BUSINESS and unselfish and patriotic de-
yotion from every public servant and
every citizen. Probably you agree with
the above position, though your pre-
ference for a Republican minister is
liable To be read as an emphatic part
Of the equipment Of the minister desir-
ed"
The writer of the letter, Herbert w.
Boyd, was finally engaged and INSTALL
ed as pastor Of the church. All went
well for d time As the congregation
filed down the aisIes when the service
was over one pillar of the church
would say to another: Good sermon
our pastor gave us this morning, and
the pastor would be invited home to
dinner.
But this state of peace was doomed
to end. II began to be whispered that
| Mr. Boyd was growing "Socialistic.
| 1T is certain that be once preached a
| sermon in favor Of good roads.
Those whom these rumors most af-
fected were the members of the Morris
family A large part Of the wealth OF
the town emanates from the Hartford
Wooden Company, Of which Ephraim
| Morris is President his brother, p. w.
Morris, Secretary, and his son-in-law,
| Charles Cone, Treasurer. Mr.. Morris
| is a wooden manufacturer, q Repubii-
can, and a protectionist and was fully
| In sympathy with the demand for Re
| publican minister He finally became