Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1901-04-03

student. There are others from the
homes of our people, but they are not
studying in our seminaries, nor do they
belong to our church. 1t is a condi-
tion Of things that bodies no good for
the churches.
Now what is the cause Of this lack
Of men for the ministry? Can we find
it? Is it because there is less piety
in the homes Of the people? Are there
fewer Hannahs to pray and offer to
God? Are there fewer Elkanahs to en-
courage them? Is family religion dy-
ing out? Is there such a tide Of world
liness coming over our people that
there ds no place or encouragement for
religion?
There is decline in family religion
that Is manifest in some quarters.
Pious instruction Of children Is neg
lected. In many cases there is no fam
lily altar. There is no positive influ-
ence brought to bear upon the young
to lead them to the Saviour. This Is
true, and this may be a cause for
the decline in the ranks Of the minis
try; but is not the chief reason.
Again, it Is said that the money get
ting spirit Is so prevalent and so po-
tent, that young men will not think of
entering a profession in which they
are forbidden to make money. This Is
true to some degree, doubtless. and
this Is cause; but not the special one,
as we think. There are many young
men who have been piously instruct
ed, and are not lacking in spiritual
sentiment. They are responsive to the
promise and prospects of life devo-
ted to the service Of the Master.
There are many also, who are not
greedy for gold, and they are far from
being actuated by mercenary spirit.
They do not seek riches; but these
young persons do ask for a living.
They demand support. They do not
feel that they are called to enter q
profession in which their talent and
capacity will be cramped and bound
by the want Of worldly competency.
And I believe the direct cause for the
depleted ranks Of the ministry Is the
inadequate support. Preachers are, as
a rule, poorly paid. But I hear some
one say that this cannot be true. Min
listers are we'll paid, compared with
other pursuits. Their work is easy.
They have no great outlay, and they
are we'll paid for what they do.
Let us investigate little. The aver
age salary In our church, in the first
presbytery, is in round numbers, 5000;
or If we count in the use of the manse,
1t will go somewhat higher. About
half the churches have homes for their
pastors. In the whole synod, the av-
erage would not reach $500, even in
Guiding the manse. In the United
Presbyterian church, sister denomi-
nation, the average is about $1,000. In
the Southern Presbyterian, at rough
guess, it is about the same. But
it is with our own church that
we are more nearly concerned, and
my appeal to you Is on her behalf,
and my complaint Is for my own de-
nomination. And let no one think that
there Is anything personal in what I
have to say. My lot is far easier than
many others. I have many things to
be thankful for; but would speak for
others-home missionaries, and my
brethren poorly paid-who cannot
speak for themselves. Our churches
demand an educated ministry. They
require that the full college and SEM
mary course be completed. This ne
cessitates an outlay of some $1,000 to
begin with. Then, count up what are
the necessary items Of expense in a
years living. House rent, If there Is
no manse; expense for horse and ve-
hicle. Books must be bought, the
house must be respectfully furnished
good clothes must be worn-not ex-
travagant, but respectable the
preachers dress will be the subject Of
remark. Expense for hospitality. The
preacher must entertain, not lavish
ly; but he must be free to invite his
friends. and especially his brother
ministers, to his home. Something
must be laid aside for benevolent pur-
poses. The minister ought not to give
less than one-tenth Of his income to
the Lord. Then the travelling eXpen-
ses to and from the meetings. Of synod
and presbytery must be provided for.
Run up all these items, you who are
good at making a dollar go a long
distance, and see how far $500 will
go towards paying these bills? I
ask If the minister Is not in danger Of
becoming either dishonest or penuri-
Gus? OF contracting debts he cannot
pay, or Of stinting himself to the
point of meanness? A minister, of all
men, cannot afford to be dishonest.
Neither can he afford to be stingy. He
will hurt himself in either case, and
will be fortunate if he does not soon
find himself without a place, or at least
without influence. Surely the minis
try is not adequately supported.
Now let us consider some Of the
reasons. The first is found in the way
people regard the minister. He
is looked upon an an object of
charity. He is not one who rem
ders a service that must be paid
as we pay other people; but one who
may receive gifts if he is really needy.
He cannot exact anything because he
has rendered that which has value; but
he can take what he can get. Now Is
this not to make the minister's sup