The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-09-15
MINISTERS MEET
Methodist, Congregational and
Baptist C|ergymen In Session.

The regular weekly meeting of tn
| Methodist ministers OF the Providenc
district was held In the Mathewson Stree
| NJ. e. church at 1880 O'Clock this morn
ing
In the absence Of the president and vic
| president Rev Charles A. Stenhouse o
Pawtuoket was elected chairman Of tn,
meeting. Devotional services were con
Quoted by Rev. J. II. Nutting. chaplain
OF the state institutions. after which q
brief business meeting was held, wher
matters OF routine business came up fol
action. The regular order OF the day was
then taken up and this was a paper by
Rev. J. II. Buckley OF Central Falls en-
titled What opportunity does a Metho-
dist ministry AFFORD for the highest de-
velopment In character and the greatest
efficiency In service7"
In seeking an answer to this double
question the speaker considered the
things that are peculiar to the Methodist
ministry.
In this connection he dwelt especially
upon what he characterized as "the most
marked OF these peculiarities or-Itener-
acy.
I'm the first place." he said, "the ap-
pointment lay absolutely with the bishop,
and from this ultra position we have
drifted to a species OF Congregationalism,
and Congregstionalism being directly op-
posite OF the iteneracy. the effect on the
ministry is easily seem
Again." he said, because of the
method of appointment, a Methodist min
lister surrenders his right OF choice or
submits to those In authority over him.
When the question Of reappointment
comes UP the minister Is practically on
trial. The action of the @. C. will either
acquit him or condemn him.
80 far as 1 know Methodist minister's
are the only persons In any civilized
country who are brought before a regu-
larly and lawfully constituted tribunal:
their cases tried and decided without any
opportunity OF knowing even what
charges may be against them, much less
OF speaking a word In their own defence
them.
Another thing that enters into this
problem Is the matter OF support for
man and his family.
In the New England Southern Con-
ference 90 men receive an average salary
OF 1880. while 19 men receive an average
salary OF y7N. In the East Ohio confer
ence 63 men receive an average salary of
N44l. while l& men receive an average
salary OF s69S. tatt p.
In the West Virginia conference IA
men receive an average salary of 1896,
while l56 men receive an average salary
OF sis4
I'm the New England conference 1876
men receive an average salary of sl646 and
l22 men receive an average salary OF $529.
TN the Pittsburg conference Jos men
receive an average salary OF s147l, while
"a men receive an average salary Of s7H.
I'm these Ave conferences 376 men re-
cetve an average salary of s1b40 while 6b3
men receive an average salary OF $500
unued the speaker. that far more than
half OF the Methodist ministers-almost
two-thirds OF them-must labor for an
average salary OF less than $500, including
house rent, while a larger number OF
these will receive less than $500, including
house rent.
What does this mean for the vast ma
torty OF Methodist ministersf 1t means
that they must economize 60 the last de-
gree all the days OF their lives in order
TO make ends meet: II means that thy
that they ought to have and that would
enable them to do better work. Ii means
that he must deny himself the pleasure
and pront OF travel which is liberal
education in itself.
Furthermore. he must not only endure
these privations himself, but he must sd
In not few instances this IL the most
grievous part OF the burden"
MIR. Buckley summed UP his most inter
esting paper with strong plea for the
elimination OF the time limit In the Meth
odist ministry In closing he said:
our conclusion Is that no class OF men
has better opportunity than Methodist
ministers for the highest development I'm
character. and that whatever limitations
our itinerant system may put upon Jfen
and churches. there Is still large opor-
tunity for the great efficiency, m not the
greatest efficiency In service"
A prolonged discussion followed the
resding OF the paper.
BAPTIST MINISTER'S.
The regular weekly meeting OF the Ran
tist ministers occurred In the small han
NJ the Y NJ G. A. at 1880 O'Clock this
evening, with Rev. T. G. Gleason In the
chair.
After devotional exercises and a short
business meeting an interesting and ex-
hausttye paper was read by Rev. William
H. Bowen OF this city formerly n we'll
known Baptist minister. Tho paper gave
a clear and comprehensive idea OF the
Greek church In Russia and its teach
ings.
CONGREGATIONAL MINISTER'S.
Tho regular weekly meeting of the Con-
gregational ministers OF the Providence
district convened in the Bible room OF the
Benencent church az 1880 O'clock this
morning. when a scholarly paper was
presented by Rev. Frank ]. Goodwin pas-
tor of the pawtucket congregational
church. The paper was OF a theological
nature. showing wide research and deep
thought and was entitled "Exegetical
Il.