The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-01-02


class style, they jumped at the conclusion
that 1t wouldn't be necessary to pay him
the salary offered; that il wouldn't make
any difference 10 him whether he got it
or not. Very soon they discovered the fall
lacy of that theory. Their new pastor
made them understand very thoroughly
that their arrangement with him was
business matter to be carried on upon
that basis. They had stated a salary; it
was a small enough salary anyway, but
he would expect the stipend to keep pace
with The growth. That was the kind Of
man the Rev. Mr.. Blank was. 1t caused
considerable groaning and complaining
among the elect; but the first quarters
salary was finally raised and paid over.
The minister promptly turned it into the
church treasury, with the suggestion that
it be used for certain needed repairs. That
was also the kind of man the Rev. MIR.
Blank was. Every quarter his salary was
paid only to be turned over to the church.
The church flourished and grew.
In Buffalo there is another clergyman,
the Rev. DR.. NJ. His church is one of
the most exclusive and fashionable in the
city, and among the other Presbyterians
its pastor has the reputation of partaking
of the nature of mis- church. Seldom does
he attend synod or presbytery; therefore
his brother ministers eridcise him for what
they call his aloofness AlthoU gh no two
cial gulf than that of DR.. M and that
of the Rev. DR.. Blank, the two clergymen
moved in the same circles Then II nap
pened that upon a Sunday when DR.. NJ
was to be out of town Mr.. Blank was ask
ed to preach in his church, not without in
timations of the unusual honor which was
being done him, the pastor of am obscure
chapel, in Offering him the opportunity to
appear before DIR. Ms congregation.
Such was the hardened nature of the
young minister that he did not seem over
come at all Securing a clergyman to sup
ply his own pulpit he went to DR.. Ms
church and preached a sermon which,
while it stirred up that decorous congrega-
ton somewhat, nevertheless met with gen
eral approval. Mr.. Blank with the con-
gratula lions of the leading members of the
church. received an intimation that if he
would call at q certain bank on the follow
ing day he would receive the usual sti-
pend.
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 yesterday.
Now for the business end of it, You called
on that account. / suppose.
The clergyman signified that such was
the occasion of his visit.
"Ah, yes. I'll write you a check. I sup
pOSe-Cf-4AJ WOulQ UG ABOUT TlSuL. Sdiu
the cashier, with that mildly interrogative
note which signifies confident expectation
of assent.
q think not" replied the young minister
coolly.
The cashier looked as If he didn't under
stand
Il beg your pardon" he said.
what is DR.. Ms salary?"
I'VE pay DR.. NJ 5000 a year." the
wi a on
the name;-"hut my dear sir, your salary
10
ut isn't a question of my salary" inter-
rupted the young minister. Let me see;
six thousand year. That's $l20 a Sunday,
I believe, not reckoning on vacation time,
which would bring it uo somewhat high
err"
But, my dear Mr."
wen set aside the question of the diff
ference made by vacation" pursued the
young minister serenely. TN trouble you
for a check for $780,"
"Why, its preposterous!' exclaimed the
cashier. do you mean to say that you
demand the same as we pay to Dr. NJ?
It's unheard Of.
do l understand that my sermon was
unsatisfactory to the congregations"
"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 1 afford to hold
myself cheaper than he when l supply
his pulpit? Am 1 not invited there upon
equal terms?"
But not financially, Mr.. Blank" insist
ed the cashier.
"And consider the reputation of your
church." continued the young minister
sweetly. "Canpot the most prosperous
church in Buffalo afford to pay adequately
T. Inf
The cashier looked at his visitor and
gasped Then he cogitated with fur
rowed brow. Presently the wrinkles dis
appered. and a smile appeared upon his
face. The smile broadened to a laugh,
and the cashier reached out through the
window, grasped the young minister's
hand and shook it heartily.
you've got nerve" he said, "but you're
right. l never knew it TO happen before,
though. Here is your check for $120"
"Thank you" said the Rev. Mr.. Blank,
pocketing the check
OF the $40 he gave $50 to the clergyman
who had supplied his own pulpit, and the
other $50 to a well-known city charity.
And he never said a word about it TO any
body, for that's the kind of man he was.
But the cashier thought it was too good to
keep and 1t soon got around, to the edl-
hcation Of the church folk, all but one.
When DR. NJ heard of 1t he was not
pleased. 1t was a bad precedent, he said;
but the rising generation of ministers will
hardly adopt his view.
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