The sun., 1902-02-23

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law and medicine almost doubled, Pre-
sumabiy, the standards OF law ana meul-
cine were raised to higher efficient va
THIS period than the standard OF theoiogio"
Why are young men 30 reluctant TO un-
dertake the duties of the ministry as ilie
work. Is II not because they fear setting
when most oompetent to perform the
d, .es OF the callingf Is It not because as
times they perceive that at an age
when lawyer or doctor H. most
useful and honored the minister, is
left to shift for himself by a coldly caicu,
lating, commercially calculating parlshf
ASK any working clergyman who reaily
knows the inside Of the situation and ne
will tell you that even a man Of hrst-rate
ability, and spotless character will often
struggle long and hopelessy to ind
parish at SO. One man, Of marked attain
ments, and successful, was ultimately
driven to the practice Of law although his
heart was In the ministry.
Nor do / find myself able TO indorse
the proposition that the ferment OF critical
scholarship. the unrest of creed and doc
trine, has played so important part In
diminishing the number OF candidates
for the ministry. / doubt whether three
out OF FIVE among the laity care q button
about these questions. As for candidates,
certain seminary doors have always opened
Wellhausen, kuenen. and Herbert spen-
Ger. No. The trouble is not here. II is
the ferment about social questions, the
commercialism which Is sapping the very
life blood of churches in cities, which
causes a young fellow 70 think twice be,
fore he risks advanced views OF social
conduct on the stormy waters OF FASH
ionable parish. Let him gain the reputa-
ton of men like DR.. Rainsford and Bishop
Potter and he will be able TO speak fear
urith ssta In innna
hour" But, as neophyte, conformity
Is the price which he must pay for assured
position. However careful his teaching.
out he goes il the wealthiest parishioner.
usually the most sensitive, and who Is
relied on to make up the annual deficit
which confronts most churches, objects
to a close personal application OF the Gospel
of Jesus in its entirety. The Erenino
Post remarked edltorially not long ago:
The churches have a terrible responsi-
member Presbyterians coquetting with
jaw Gould? What Protestant church in
this city would refuse present from Platt
20 support a vested choir2 What Catholic
church would turn on Croker. bearing
gifts. with an indignant, Thy money perish
with theef' The pious Quay founded
church in Pennsylvania. and. we do not
doubt, would endow a theological semi
nary II necessary" The Epening Post
may be drastic and severe but the lay
In robes does not so often appreciate
the silencing power OF goldi
Suffer me, In conclusion, to suggest
possible way out Of the present entangle,
ments in the ministry which, while radical
TO a degree, IA not so Quixotic as might at
first appear A strong effort should be
made to encourage able, devoted young |
men OF independent means to enter the !
Christian ministry. The element OF free. !
speech must be often wanting /
q IL l. ~. lha
looking to him for support. is dependent !
OH the whim or caprice of the wealthy /
for the maintenance OF his |
position. A man who Is single may be
willing TO take his chances with tickle and
congregation, but he has no
moral right to subject family TO the mu-
tations Of pulpit career in these times OF |
tremendous thought upheaval of social
economic lines. The argument for the
relibacy OF the clergy, as put forth by the
Church Of Rome, has some reason in Its
Blessed with an independent
income the clergyman Of bold and fearless
SPEECH on pressing social problems. he who
believes that Christianity has not failed
because II has never been tried" will be
able 10 go where men will listen gladly
when deprived Of his pulpit by those who
IRE hard hit by faithful declaration OF the
Word.
| know that the salary question has
troubled the conscience of some clergy
men. At Keswick, England, there was
held n conference of high-salaried and
able clergy where this question Of giving
up and working for nothing was thoroughly
discussed. A Brooklyn minister recently
resigned a $1,000 pastorate under the stress
If conviction l have nothing to say on
he abstract merits Of the proposition.
What do say is this: II more clergymen
If independent means were enrolled, the
,ungenoy. drectness and power of pulpit
address would be greatly enhanced. to the
manifest quickening Of the public morals.
Ind by this declaration I am willing TO
tand II does not follow that every high
alariad preacher il a time server. Far
rom IL But il does follow that the elimina-
ion Of the bread-and-butter problem would
,e a distinct aid to clerical efficiency.
FREDERICK STANLEY RooT.