Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1903-05-01
SOME or OUR CONGREGA-
TONS DO NOT SUPPORT
THEIR PASTORS AS WELL
AS THEY NIGHT.

mako touo CnbV8c WIN uuC StsVW
anee for the small membership OF some
Of these congregations and for the
poverty and OF the hardahips which
our people have to endure In making =
living. God forbid that any should
take II In any other aense. neither do
expect Tor this charge TO In any way
hinder either the spread Of the church
or the building up Of Christ's Kingdom
In the world Ent l nodestly and
faithfully make II with the hope, that
might help \ little to stimulate those
among us who are little disinclined
TO be more liberal Ia supporting their
pastors Tho pastors support IL an
attribute Of the prime duty Of the con-
gregation; "the workman is worthy Of
his hire" is = scriptuAi affirmation
which carries with it q very strong
moral injunction, and one which
should be obeyed. | have just said
that the pastors support is part Of the
congregations prime duty. Not all OF
IT,. Neither should the pastor make
getting his support the sole object Of
his ministerial work; nor should he
discard 1t as not being part Of his
work, but look upon his support rs
being one OF the essential elements of
his ministerial success, and give 1t
proper attention.
Many of our ministers have neglect
ed Mis- support phase Of their duty to
almost sinful degree. OF this neg.
lect some congregations have taken
advantage, and shirk theis response
bility OF doing their duty by their
pastors. The pastors of our churches
and especially some of the smaller
ones, do not get board at the rate of
10 scents meal, per day, for them.
selves and wives, not saying anything
about clothes, Doctor bills, books, and
other necessities Of life.
II these men have not the money
with which to purchase these necessi-
ties they must go in debt for them, and
il their congregations do not give it to
them. they will not have the money to
pay for them, when payday comes.
This is the reason why so many minis
ters are branded with not paying their
debts, for which their creditors dun,
cast out their names at home, and
often send their bills to conference for
collection. In such an event thay are
often snatched up by the conference
and drawn over the Goals, when If the
truth was known it would be found
that these men could not pay these
bills because they had worked all the
year for less than board at 10 cents =
meal, 3 per day, for themselves and
wives, moreover these men sometimes
have to beg or borrow money to get to
conference. They get little mission
money there, but when they pay their
educational mission and dollar money,
and subscribe for all the church papers
snd periodicals as the law of the Church
requires, they have but little or no
money left. even to get home on; they
must beg borrow or walk home. This
should not be the ease. and it would
mot be II the people these men serve,
had the church pride and love for their
pastors that they had ought to have.
Any congregation OF IS or 80 members
in community that is friendly towards
the church. can If 1t will, give its pastor,
and wife . good support, and l think
that when. such congregation thus
situated fails to do this (give their
pastor good support) it ought to be
put to shame.
When congregation in the Baptist
church fails TO pay its annual dues it
is made to appear unfnancial and not
in good standing in their records.
Why not the A. NJ E, church adopt
some such methods regarding its min
listers. think it would be good re-
Duke to place on the bad standing list
by the annual conference to any of its
circuits or stations of Is or 30 mem
bere situated in good community,
that does not give its pastor meals
per day, 10 cents per meal for self and
wife, and salary Of 50. 90 per week.
One OF our faithful and devout
pastors told Of two instances in which
his little boy made him keenly feel his
need the first was this, q member was
trying to prevail upon the pastor and
his wife to accompany him home, and
take tea with him, but tho pastor and
wife were as the boy thought, about
to declin the members invitation, and
the lite fellow whispered TO the moth.
er and said ''msmn,s you had better
60. because you know we have moth
ing Ut home to eat" The second was
last year, it was this same boys birth.
day, he was nine years old and one Of
the members had given him part Of
nine cents. az he stood before his
father in deep study he said, If ] had
seven cent more would have fifteen
cents, What would you do with it?'
his father asked. II would buy me =
pair of stockings, for l haven't . pair
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