New-York tribune., 1903-06-11
SYNOD,S WORK COMPLETE.
Reformed Church to Increase Fund
for Disabled ministers.

Asburv Park y J. June 1e-Fervent appeals
we're made to-day to the delegates attending the
General Synod of the Reformed Church in America
for money To help disabled ministers and their
wives The principal speakers were the Rev Drs
George : Bishop and Denis Workman, both of
East Orange and David James Burrei OF New
York Or Workman is the financial agent for the
Dis sbled Ministers and Widows Fund which is
ot increasing as rapidly ii is desired. The per-
Inanent fund now amounts to more than $'''eS
Last year relief was given to eighteen ministers
snd thirty, ministers widows, the maximum amount
allowed being only $3.50
The synod, by resolution, insisted that all the
churches make annual offerings to the fund, and
eyed The amount to be raised at $4,000 for the
current year II also recommended that the per-
raanent fund be increased TO S2o0eoo The sugses-
zion of the committee that the minimum yearly
dr,es for membership in the fund be fixed at SO
and the maximum at S35 was turned over 10 4
special committee, composed Of e1perlehced eloeis
who are 70 devise a new insurance scheme ana
report 10 the next General Synoe
Or Burreil. in g forceful speech. directed at the
elders preseu insisted that the Reformed churehes
were not treating their ministers right The elders
sho,ld eae 10 il and that at once, that the
churches nav their university bred ministers
salarr at least proportionate 10 that they coulo
command in the law or in nercahule pursuits
Said the doctor:
chosen for their natural equipment and are bound
70 be college bred men. In any other vocation or
profession the same men would receive three uileS
their ministerial income. This means that as d
body they are free from mercenary motlNes' Hhu-
ing their stimulation in pure and simple oeVooo"
to their work for the works sake Put the MN
istrv upon the mere commercial level OF skliied
mind work or handcraft and you would nave a
ministerial strike increase OF wages WITHIN
twenty y-four hours
Dr. Workman warned the ministerial delegates
that they might soon be asking for an annuity
from the fund since statistics showed that one
minister in every eight is liable 10 become disabled
The tabled resolution enjoining ministers or the
Reformed Church to remarry divorced persons
executing the innocent party in divorce obtained
on Biblical grounds taken up to-day. 1nd on
motion Of the Rev. DT- James l. Vance, OF New
ark was referred 10 a special committee, with IN
strIctiors 10 report 10 the next General SYNOD;
DR. Vance said h. took this action because ne nlu
net believe that Of so grave
ehogld be acted an hastily. President Aells, Oh
rooklz-Y is chairman Of this special commute
4 resolution submitted by the Sohinlttte o4i
beneyolerf associations. denounclls Suin'tE heNe-
paBers ard Sunday baseball and goif playing Va, Hes
a6cgted sr5 the work being done by the American
Sabbath Union commended aha In a oi-i 'tie7
urged 10 contribute for the support OF the same
FINAL sd3o1Irnre:lt Of the synod was ordered tlls
afternoon after President Wells delivered
PRAYER for spiritual baptism on az ths ~, -
and the Reformed Church in Earticullar a Er . ~,
thanks aas given The New-fork tribune .oI I aaI
accgra-e reuorfs Of the proceedings OF tiie 'ei"'
Synod.