The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-05-26

U y SOME quarters a misapprchen-
sion prevails as to the action
Il taken by the Methodist general
conference i'm reference to the
time limit of pastorates. The time
limit was removed but the itinerancy
was not abolished. This is a distinc-
tion with a difference.
AS heretofore, so in future, confer
cnce appointments will he for a period
of one year and i'm any instance where
pastor or congregation shall advance
acceptable reasons for a change in pas
tOral relations, the change will be made.
Methodism is not to be congregations
allied; but in harmony with the spirit
of the age it has done away with an
arbitrary limit upon the usefulness of
its pastors in their respective fields of
service, thus making possible the con-
tnuance Of the successful pastor as
long as he and his flock shall find the
relation mutually advantageous.
No substantial reason exists why
this modification should result to the
church's disadvantage. The mere
changing about of pastors at stated
intervals has i'm itself no especial vir-
tue. The pastor who is conscientious
and true to his ministerial Office will
remain so under a three-year, five
year or an any number Of years limit.
The character of the man makes the
good pastor, not the circumstance of
environment. The pastor who is not
to be trusted longer than five years in
particular place has no place in
the ministry whatsoever: the ministry
would gain by his seeking another oc-
Cupation.
The one factor which has operated
as a conservative influence in past con-
sideration of this matter has been the
fear that the removal of the time limit
would denote a yielding on the part Of
Methodism to the modern tendency
toward matcrialistic considerations.
such as the growth of wealth, fond
ness for luxury and the cultivation in
church activities of the favor of those
who possess earthly power. 1t was
feared by some that the stationary
pastor might gradually succumh to the
temptation to continue himself i'm a
pleasant place, and thus perhaps un-
consciously attune his preaching of the
gospel to the liking of the principal
contributors of congregational revenue.
And it was argued that frequent trans
fers, by making the pastor in a ,sense
independent of local influences. would
tend 10 promote a higher degree of
moral courage and spiritual fearless
ness in the pulpit.
This same argument would apply TO
many other features of the religious
life-to costly churches, to sumptuous
church furnishings, to the patronage
by the church of music and the liberal
arts. Its weakness lies in its lack of
confidence in the fundamentals of re-
.ligion. If religion has any value at all
1t is in strengthening character to meet
the temptations of the times This is
time of wealth and luxury: ascctic-
ism in religion would not modify the
general characteristics of the age; it
would only withdraw the very actiy-
tiles which, by judicious and seemlv
use of the prevalent material comforts
and blessings, would present examples
of the right relations between resources
and character.
% The church which runs away from
the spirit of the times only weakens
itself; it does not change the condi-
tions TO which it dissents.