The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-12-01
FREACHERS--POlITIcS--SALaRlE

An old fashioned, solid, honest and
noble Methodist preacher, who is at
lending Conference, dropped in to see
n yesterday, and he said: II have
much to make me happy. The people
IN my circuit paid me every cent of my
salary, paid all their assessments and
the other Conference collections, there
has been prosperity in Zion, and it does
ne good to greet my brethren at the an
lHal conference"
When the good brother had thus
spoken, he turned and said: ~ am glad
also 20 tell you that / have cause to be
happy because Of the outlook for gooi
government in the State. In my county
q revolution in sentiment has taken
place, and men who have been active
Pepul.sts are ready to join with their
former neighbors in restoring the good
government the Democratic party gave
the State" This good brother is no
politician, he does not talk for publica-
ton, but he is citizen who is deeply in
terested in securing good government in
the State, and he is as faithful ito rem
der unto Caesar the things that be
Caesars" as he is to truly minister to the
people in holy things.
The casual remark Of this good circuit
rider with reference to his salary. makes
rs glad to believe that in spite of five
cent cotton and general depression the
people of all denominations have paid
their preachers as well as they could.
and that none of them have the pitiable
experience Of a clergyman in New York.
Of whom it was said that although he
was promised salary of $4,000 a year.
he was paid only ten dollars in dimes.
pennies and nickels, and he never ex
posed the meanness Of his congregation
antil his creditors pressed him for paw
nent for the supplies he had purchased
On the faith of salary of $1,000. In
aeff-defense he was then forced to state
that, though ostensibly receiving a salary
Of $1,000, he had been paid only the pit
lance Of ten dollars. Commenting on
the experience of this preacher the
Washington Post makes some comments
which will receive hearty amens from
every preacher in the country. The
Post saw.
while every man should live within
his income, and, above all things, should
pay his honest debts, we are really dis
posed to sympathize with the delinquent
clergyman in this particular case. He
had been prom sed a certain sum, and
he had every reason to believe that at
least sufficient portion for his needs
would be forthcoming. 1t was his con-
gregation and not himself that was to
blame for his unfortunate predicament.
IF there is one thing in which
churches, as rule, need to be more
careful it is in this matter Of preachers
salaries. With an Indifference and an
insensibility which we cannot under
stand many churches seem to think that
q contract between themselves and their
minister is no contract at all. They
promise him definite salary and then
pay him whatever is convenient. The
gas man, the coal man, and even the
sexton must be paid, but the debt owing
to the minister is looked upon as alto
Eether righteous and proper. There is
no question Of his worthiness or pains
taking devotion, no bubble as to the
terms upon which he entered the pulpit.
he is built as other men are, with the
same stomach that needs satisfying,
with the same body that requires cloth
ing, and with that inability to camp
cut in the open air which necessitates a
house over his head. Out of his supe-
rior grace, however, he is expected to
observe with equanimity the monthly
shOrtcoming in the matter Of his salary
and to preach honestly from the pulpit
when he is standing example Of un-
kept pledges.
"There are, of course, happy exceptions
where churches do pay their pastors
fully and promptly. We would that
the practice were universal. We would
that all churches might be actuated by
nice sense of honor which would view
arrears in the pastors salary with the
same adherence that an upright man
regards theft. or all men in the world
the minister Is worthy of his hire. and
every obligation toward him should be
met with scrupulous care"