Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-01-01

THREE
they discovered the fallacy OF that theory.
Their new pastor made them unJers'ahu
very thoroughly that their arrongement
with him was a business matter, 10 DC
carried on upon that basis. Thev had
stated a salary; II was a small Enough
salary. anyway, but he would take u.
and after the church had grown no would
expect the stipend TO keep pace with
the growth. That was the kind OF man
the Rev Mr.. Blank was. IL caused con-
siderable groaning and complaining
among the elect: but the first quarters
salary was finally raised and paid over.
The minister promptly turned II INTO
the church treasury, with the suggestion
that IL be used for certain needed repairs.
That was also the kind OF man the Rev.
Mr.. Blank was. Every quarter his salary
was paid, only to be turned over TO the
church. The church fourished and grew
In Buffalo there Is another clergyman
the Rev DR.. NJ. His church Is one OF
the most exclusive and fashionable ia
the city, and among the other PresDy-
terians its pastor has the reputation or
partaking Of the nature OF his church.
Seldom does he attend synod or presby-
terry: therefore. his brother ministers
critcise him for what they call his aloof-
ness. Although no two churches could
be separated by a wider social gulf than
that Of Dr. NJ, and that of the Rev.
Mr.. Blank the two clergymen moved In
the same circles. Then II happened that
upon Sunday when DR.. NJ was to
be out of town Mr.. Blank was asked 10
preach i'm his church. net without init
nations Of the unusual honor which was
being done him, the pastor Of an OBJ
scure chapel i'm Offering him the oppor-
| tunity to appear before Or. Ms con-
gregation. Such was the hardened ma
ture Of the young minister that he did
not seem overcome at all Securing a
clergyman TO supply his own pulpit. he
| went to DR. Ms church and preached
a sermon which. while IL stirred up that
decorous congregation somewhat, never
theless, met with general approval Mr.
Blank. with the congratulations OF the
leading members Of the church, received
an intimation that If he would call at a
certain bank on the following day he
would receive the usual stipend.
on the next day he went to the bank
He was greeted by the cashier a man
prominent in the church.
"Ah. good morning. Mr.. Blank. Very
refreshing sermon you gave us yester-
| day Now for the business end of 1t. You
called on that account / suppose
| The clergyman sgnified that such was
| the occasion of his visit.
! "Ah, yes. I'll write you check.
| suppose-er-S20 would be about rightg'
said the cashier, with that mildly inter-
rogative note which signifies confident
expectation Of assent.
81 think not" replied the young minis
ter coolly
The cashier looked as If he didn't un-
derstand.
Il beg your pardon" he said.
what is DR.. Ms salary
eve pay DR.. NJ $1,000 year" the
cashier said, with a strong emphasis on
the name; but, my dear sir, your
salary"
ct isn't a question Of my salary" in
terrupted the young minister. Let me
see: 5000 a year. That's 500 Sunday,
I believe, not reckoning on vacation
time, which would bring it up somewhat
higher"
PUT, my dear Mr.. -"
Wen set aside the question Of the diff
ference made by vacation" pursued the
young minister, serenely. "Pll trouble
you for a check for Sl2O.'
"Why, it's preposterousw exclaimed the
cashier. do you mean to say that you
demand the same as we pay to DR..
NJ? It's unheard Of"
"Do | understand that my sermon was
unsatisfactory to the Congregation
"No-o-o: not that. OF course. But con
slider DR.. Ms reputation
Consider my reputation" replied Mr.
Blank I'm the pastor of city church
So is DR.. NJ. Can I'afford to hold my
self cheaper than he, when / supply his
pulpit? Am l not invited there upor
equal termsT'
But not financially, Mr.. Blank -
sisted the cashier
And consider the reputation of you
church." continued the young minister
sweetly. Cannot the most prosperous
church I'm Buffalo afford 10 pay ade
quately those who supply it's pulpit?"
The cashier looked at his visitor, an'
gasped. Then he cOgltated with a fur
rowed brow. Presently the wrinkles dis
appeared. and a smile appeared upon hi
face. The smile broadened TO a laugh
and the cashier reached out through tn
window grasped the young minister
hand, and. shook it heartily
You've got nerve" he said, but your
right. l never knew it TO happen before
though. Here is your check for $l20."
"Thank you" said the Rev. Mr.. Blank
pocketing the check.
OF the $12O he gave $50 to the clergyman
who had supplied his own Pulpit, and tn
! other $50 TO n well-knOwn city charity
And he never said a word about it L
anybody. for that's the kind Of man b
was. But the cashier thought it was 10
good to keep. and il soon got around, 4
the edification of the church folk, all bu
one.
When DR.. NJ heard OF II he was no
pleased. IL was a bad precedent he said
but the rising generation of ministers vii
hardly adopt his view.
.nDsNGr<n uyEIENIC Cellar