The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-01-11
The MINISTER 4 Man
Rev. M. D. Hardin Argues Vigor-
ous1y for the Muscular Christian
GOLF AND GOSPEL NOT 1NIM1cAL
ern Church Which Dismissed
Golfng Pastor.

| Z - = - - - ..
Rev. Ernest T.. Chase of the West Har-
Wich, Mass, Baptist church, who was re-
Gently dismissed because he played golf,
mas the heartfelt sympathy OF Rev NJ.
! ID. Hardin of Andrew Presbyterian
church, Minneapolis. Mr.. Hardin is an
| enthusiastic golfer and so skilful with
| cleek and iron that he carried off the
! honors at the Lafayette Club last sea-
| son.
Whatever the attitude Of the Bap-
tist church toward the game may be
in some quarters, Mr.. Hardin says that
he has yet to hear of single protest
being made in the Presbyterian church
against the manly sport. From all
he has heard on that subject in his con-
gregation up to date, he has reason to be-
lieve that Andrew church is proud Of his
record in golf last season. From the
standpoint of golf alone, the church is
certainly justified in its pride Of pastor,
for Mr.. Hardin succeeded, among other
exploits on the greens, in administering
a sound defeat to C. T. Jaffray, the Mini
kahda expert. \
Said Mr.. Hardin:
Seriously speaking I do not think there is
room in any church to-day for the narrow
prejudice which forced the resignation OF the
Baptist minister in question. l have yet TO
hear any logical reason advanced why good,
wholesome exercise is not as absolutely es-
OF minister Of the gospel as to men in
every other calling in life. A minister is
only human after all, and he must live and
have his being, in large measure, much as
other men, provided he transgresses not the
laws OF nature and endeavors to lead IN
upright Christian life.
don't believe that ministers or any other
class Of men can take wholly sane view OF
life, or pretend to give sane, intelligent sug
gestiOns to others, If they are troubled with
any physical ailment. The mind is capable
OF its best work only through the instIu-
mentality of perfect physical machine. So
long as there exists the slightest impairment
OF a mans health, long will he be
tally diseased in like degree. I believe that
a man can keep in good health only through
systematic exercise. I find golf nicely suited
to my needs in that direction. I love the
game and l don't believe there is any other
sport in which l might indulge which would
confer the physical benefit on me which l
receive from this fascinating pastime. | do
not indulge in golf in winter, and SO it could
not possibly interfere with my pastoral du
ties at this season. But in the summer l
freely admit that | prefer to put in most
Of my spare time on the greens. For man
at all given to sedentary work, it is most
excellent autidote for that tired feeling, dys-
| pepsia and all the other ills to which flesh
| is heir when mans blood flows sluggishly
| through his veins for lack of exercise.
| know of sport in which 1 can so wholly
lose myself and forget everything else in
the fascinating endeavor. to keep close pace
| with Colonel Bogey on the fair and putting
| greens.
| , believe in physical religion and in mus
cular Christianity, as exemplifed in golf or
any other sport, and l believe that all good
! church members Of to-day agree with me- in
| that. regard. The idea that minister must
| not mix with his fellow-lnen, as one of them,
! interest himself in what interests them, and
| thus get in close touch with those to whose
| spiritual wants he may administer is rap
| idly passing away. Unless pastor is famil-
| lar with the everyday incidents Of life with
! the average man, his usefulness in his chosen
field has ceased to exist.