Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1900-01-24
AN HONEST MINISTER.

In a letter to the San Francisco Call,
dated Oakland. Jan. 20. Rev. James c.
Machines is described as one Of the
best known young diyines in Alameda
county Attention Is drawn to him,
because he has resigned the ministry,
on account of the hypocrisy and fraud
he has found In the ranks OF the Sec
tartan churches He is quoted 10 have
said to the trustees; THE ministry
Is no place for young man who wants
his personal liberty. He must use too
much hypocrisy and overlook too much
hypocrisy In Others"
Machines was successful Congrega-
tional pastor and II was therefore
surprise to his friends when he ten
dered his resignation and declared that
he would leave the ministry for ever.
In explanation Of the step he took, he
says In part;
The church Is burdened with false
ideas. The members Of the congrega-
ton want their pastor 10 be solemn
vlsaged and dignltied always. This
compels a minister 10 oftentlmes as
sumo a false dignity. Clergymen are
human and have the same feelings as
other people. Their tastes are the
same but they are prevented from in
dulging them because II they did so II
would cause their dearly beloved par
ishioners 60 hold up their hands in hor-
ror. A short time ago | went 10 a
dance given for young Fred Reuger a
friend of mine. who was going iway.
and the matter kicked up a terrible
row. For long time before that had
been thinking seriously Of leaving the
ministry. and that event brought me
70 a decision
Concerning his future plans. he said;
Il shall now enter upon business
career and life OF personal liberty.
My endeayors shall be 10 be a Christian
business man. BY embarklng IN a mer-
camille life and doins unto others as |
would have them do unto me- think |
can DO more good than by remaining In
the pulpit
His last farewell to the ministry Is as
follows
YALE. hypocrisy ] can now walk
down the street with my hat on the
back OF my head, my hands IN my
pockets and when ! meet genial
friend | can say; Hello, there. old
man, how goes it2' without having peo-
pie stare at me In establishment | have
been rebuked by the looks OF church
goers, who think q minister should not
act like other men, too long. Now that
| am free | feel rs happy as boy go
ing fishing"
Mr.. AacInnls Is to be congratulated
on the step he has taken. II has, we
venture TO say, cost him a hard strug-
gle In which he has come out con-
queer on the side Of truth and honesty.
From now on he viii De able TO respect
himself. and he win be an object OF
envy to his brethren. who would take
the same step, were they not kept from
doing so BY cowardice Ministers know
ful well the truth Of the indictment
for hypocrisy. made public by this ex-
member OF the fraternity. Il was said
OF the ancient Roman custodians Of
certain sacred prejudiees that they
could hardly look at one another with
out smiling. That modern ministers
are not tempted In a similar way is a
proof u hard training.
We hope MIR. Maclnnis viii keep his
resolution Of leading a Christian busl-
ness life. II so. he oanno, fail to so
from light to light and obtain more
knowledge than he has Truth comes
gradually as the orbs in heaven. when
the evening shadows fall. shine forth
one by one. until the entire armament
is studded with the glistening brllliants
Of the Creator, To abandon the sec.
tartan ministry Is good introduction
to the study OF true theology.