The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1898-01-04
HIS CHOSEN WORK.
REV. JAMES M. FARRAR WILL PREACH
WITHOUT. PAY.


First Reformed church Of Brooklyn an
nounced to his congregation few nights
ago that he intended as soon as possible
to give up the pastorate of the church
and devote the remainder Of his life to
the preaching of the gospel without
pay In order to do this he will leave
Brooklyn and 60 into the country.
where living is cheap and there is much
need of ministers The announcement
was made at the annual meeting OF the
church He said in substance that for
long time past he had believed 1t his
duty TO preach without pay, but 1t was
only now that he began to see his way
clear 70 the attainment Of his wish. He |
thought that a man should at least de |
vote a part OF his life work in field |
where no one could impugn his motives
He said he made the announcement at
that time not because he intended to go
at once, but because he wanted per.
feet understanding 10 exist between his
congregation and himself as to his feel
ings and intentions in the matter
After the meeting many OF his hear
ers said that they could not and would
not let him leave the church. Many OF
the more influential members of the
congregation called ON him recently and
tried to dissuade him from his resolu-
| ton but without success. He had pre-
yiously conferred with his consistory.
however, and received their approval OF
| his resolution. DR. Farrar said to re-
porter recently:
81 am much surprised that my state
ment has caused SO much commotion. 1
spoke Of my plans to my congregation
| last night in semiconfdential way.
Moreover, as told them that / could
not do as proposed at once did not
think that it would be much talked OF.
1.-The whole matter is this: Since
entered the ministry have constantly
been called to larger. richer and more
influential churches. began in q little
country church at very small salary.
Then was called to the city, and since
have been in the city have gone from
one church to another, always lettering
myself in worldly way. The thought
4
too much on the money we receive. II
has struck me that in spite OF our call
ing we give very little to the Lord.
We preach and instruct and advise, tel
these persons to do this and those per
sons to do that, but we are paid for al
, | we do. The Sunday school teachers ant
| the other workers in the church giv'
{ their time and money to the service o
: the Lord and get nothing, at least 0
9 I worldly reward, in return. We minis
: tiers give time and effort to our work
, but we are paid for all that we give.
81 believe that it is the duty OF
man to devote at least part OF his III
3 TO the service of others without pay
y That is what / want to do, and that
q the way in which wish to spend tn
= rest of my life. How soon can do it
. do not know That will depend on til
amount of money / can save to suppol
my family and myself. By the practit
;, of rigid economies / think can do
r. comparatively soon. That is all that q
Al lays me. =,
a 1.-THE reason that intend to 90 to Il
A. country is that, aside from there beir
=. a good field for my work there, CT
70 live and support my family in comic
30 for so much less money than is requir
"a in a city. / have little country hor
20 in Idlewild, Chester county, Pa, al
90 that is where l shall go. / shall ma
';s that center and go from there to wh'
be ever place may be called. Such wo
will be the height of my hopes and !
cd ambition. ! have spent the last sew
~ years of my life in building up M
- church. 1t has grown strong and usef'
Of and think have done all that is nee
,n ed in that direction. Now l want
tar build up souls without money and vii
orc out price. l have fully consecrated
the y to the Master, and AN more tn
ma convinced that the step shall take
me soon as the way is completely open
40. in the direction in which for more IL
year past the Lord has been ieaa
me.
"This is not o quixotio move or
lo,s prompted by undue enthusiasm, nor
,,ne / wish people to think that am IN
80 ing a sacrifice. I am country born
sol. country bred and prefer the country
g., the city. While / shall have to live
No much less than 81 900 a year, yet In
,gos little country town where my home
,on- can live in comparatively as great O
ont fort as can on six times as much
ects city. :.
nan Moreover, to put it crudely. II
,nlv to emphasize that there Is no sacr
H. involved, when the day comes for IN
sgo. approach the great bar of Justice at
by side may be man who has strug
: 81 in his service to God with little M
|, ~ and few comforts. Will !. who
|, A. had everything easy and comfort
dus from the beginning. get as high
sur. ward as the other mani believ'
ths thoroughly in the eternal life TO G
, Ia. that want to prepare my way &c
a. ~ highest enjoyment Of it possible.
:. =. "But my chief motive is . knowi
LEM Of the great need Of ministers who
- A. serve for nothing"
~ The First Reformed church 10 br
-. - - govapth avouue and "a