The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-12-05
BENEFICIARY FUND INCREASED.
$1,000 TO BE Distributed Among Com
ference Claimants.

ttEthSf
Mr.. c. H. Dorset secured the recogni-
ton of the president and submitted a set
of resolutions from the joint board Of
finance, regarding the fund for the con-
ference claimants 1t was as follows:
1.-The joint board Of finance regrets 10 re-
port that the collections for the conference
claimants do not show that increase which
we have a right to expect, and which the
necessities OF the claimants require. The
demands upon the fund increase with each
year and it is Notifying 10 US that our
ability to respond does not corresponding
" increase. We are unwilling that our
love and solctude for these retired faith
fu labor5rs in the Masters vineyard and
their offspring should be measured by the
small sums apporuoned them. Ii is sad
indeed 10 know that at the time of lite
when ease and comfort are more neces-
sary than at any other period, these faith
ers in Israel should not be properly pro-
vided for by their spiritual children. We
believe that this condition does not cor
rsCtly represent the sentiments of our
membership, but that different results
will be experience if corresponding zeal is
manifested in this as IS shown in other
collections.
we. therefore, recommend for your
adoption the following: Resolved, that the
collection for conference claimants be
made separately and as early in the year
as possible Resolved, that the pastors
are requested 10 preach upon this sub
ject and TO inform their people as to the
use of the fund.- the needs of the claimants
and the great disparity between the cost
OF relieving their necessities and the
amount collected. Resolved, that the i'm
portance of this object and the sacredness
of The claim upon Us is second TO no other
and that it is the righteous duty of every
pastor TO stress this subject until their as
fun"
Toward the close of the session the mat
ter of conference claimants was taken up
again, the joint board of finance being au-
thorized to assess an additional 81 600 for
the support of the superannuated preach
ers and the other claimants This au-
thority followed the introduction of an
other resolution by Rev O. A Thrower.
Rev. William ]. Robertson and Rev. F. A
Branch. This resolution read Re
solved, That the board OF finance assess
$500 for superannuated preachers and
the widows and orphans of deceased
preachers"
lengthy discussion of the paper fol-
lowed ITS reading, many of the preachers
and lay delegates taking part. There was
evidently a strong division of sentiment
upon the subject, ana expressions were
gwen as openly and freely as the preach,
eTs are wont TO talk upon questions Of
Vital interest to the conference No dis
position was shown to cut the claimants
OF from proper support Those who an
tagonized the resolution did so from a
sense OF its provision being more than
the church would be able to stand. TIE
financial wisdom Of the step was strong
~ questioned, though all agreed that the
support and care of those dependent upoD
the conference is a duty that should be
performed.
Among those who spoke upon the sub
5ect were Rev. J. II. Scruggs, Rev. Homer
Bush, Dr. J. 3. McGehee Rev. Bascom
Anthony, Rev. J. NJ. Cutler and Rev. ].
W. Domingos. Mr.. Scruggs said that the
members Of the conference should not al
10" thelr sympathies to run away with
their Judgment in the matter; that the
financial affairs of the conference sbould
be conducted in as careful a business way
as those OF dry goods store or of a bank
Mr.. Bush held that ministers like
10 think that provisions Will be made bv
the cnurcn for their old age and
lhat 1t rs not violent presumption to SUD-
pose that some contemplating entrance in
20 the ministry would be deferred on find
ing that little in the way of support would
be given them after they had spent the
best years of their lives i'm the service
another point he made was that the
knowledge that they would be given but
meager support might keep many who
should do so from applying to the confer
ence for retirement. They might natur-
ally feel that they could not afford 10 give
up their work that affords "A competence
70 accept the small sums given to the SUI
perannuated. For this reason thew MIGHT
continue in active service when such a
course would not conserve the interests
oil the church or preserve their health and
strength
Rev. Bascom Anthony insisted the
churcn mas no right to vitiate its contracts
win the preachers after they have grown
infirm and are no longer able to discharge
the duties of active itinerancy. He held
that the church makes a contract with
every preacher that enters its service 10
provide for his old age, and that ii is no
more than right and just for those con-
tracts to be carried out. The preachers
have a right, under those contracts he
said to expect that they will be given
more than meager support when they
nave become fun of years and innrmities.
Rev j. W. DomingOs said that the s1lnuort
OF the claimants is the most popular fund
to which the people are asked TO contrib
ute, and that he felt no doubt that they
would pay whatever assessments the
board Of finance might see fit To ippoee
Mr.. G. ]. Peacock said that he had INC
honor to represent q church that has nov.
er failed to pay what il is assessed. and
that he would not agree to its being uaje
to bear the burden OF those which will
better support of the claimants
Rev. w. A. Huckabee announced 49,,
ne does not think the ministers copsfde,
the sums they viii receive ON aslgin-
be retired. He thought If the asseesr,,,,,l
Tor the superannuated preachers had -
paid on their merits and the fund ~
otner~ise drawn upon, the amount raieCg
would nave been enough for the srraCr
OF the claimants. As he concludsd - y
remarks, Rev. Dr. McGehee said: "Ap,an
give me your hand on that brother " ~
caused tumult to sweep over The cb,ircb
~ was the public reconciliation Of ~
two gentlemen who have afforded tba III,
sensation that has thus far signalized 49,
session OF the conference. A hearty banS
grasp was exchanged, and the gentiaroe,
eat down amid applause. '''e'iie
The question was then ca1iod e.,
had been from time to time during tho az
cussioh Inc vote was in favor of IN