Richmond planet., 1904-08-06

Mt. OLIVE BAPTIST CHURCH.
There is a grand time there.

There is grand time at Mt. Olive
Baptist Church, Henrico County, this
week. Its the 37th year OF the Church
and the Sth year of the Pastor Rev. J. II.
Binford's Anniversary. The following
is paper read by Mrs. Lille Sublett.
Subject, "OUR PASTOR"
We understand, that the rule of the
baptlsts in calling a pastor is, by elect
ion, as the free choice of the people. in
each individual church. The selection
and election of a pastor is one of the
most important acts, if not the most
important pertaining to the indie.
pendence of the church. The interest of
the body, and the welfare of religion de-
pend so largely upon it, that it should be
entered upon with the utmost care. de.
liberation and prayer, prayer for the
divine direction.
And L believe this was carried out by
our church, in selecting, electing and
calling our present pastor for he has
worked faithfully as our pastor since he
has been with us these eight years. His
work shows for itself regardless of what
some may say.
Yet many have been his trials, but
the Lord has brought him thus far and
we will pray that the Lord will go with
him TO the end
When i say his work sho VS. for itself
can point out number of brothers
and sisters, who by the work of Rev.
j. Ii. Binford. were saved from hell by
the Grace of God through Jesus Christ.
and your humble servant who was
born out of due time am witne SIS and a
child of God through the work of his
hands.
We know that all do not love our
pastor, intact we do not expect all to
love him, but those of us who try to
carry the grace of God in our hearts,
know, that pastor is TO be loved,
honored and obeyed, in the Lord because
he is placed over the chs-h by both the
head of the body and by the free and
voluntary act of the body itself.
The spirit of christian liberty, and the
voluntary prinoip on which all chris
tian institutions should be supported,
control the relations of pastor and
people. Our pastor has tried to
carry out his obligations with us, and
we should carry out our obligations
with him.
A pastor should be well and generous
ly supported as TO his salary, according
to the ability of the church. Few
things exhibit the essential meanness of
human nature, christian human nature
even more clearly than for people to
stint and crowd a pastor down to the
smallest pittance, while they have an
abundance, or live in affluence. The true
minister of God will cheerfully share
necessities with his people.
But it is cruel and contemptible for them
TO laden him with heavy burdens which
they are not willing TO help bear and if
there be one thing more dishonorable
then cramping him to the smallest
amount of salary. it is that refinement
of cruelty of not paying him the salary
agreed upon when it is due. Compell-
ing him TO endure the shame of living
in debt, unable TO pay for the necessaries
of life, while they have abundance,
though the salary may be small he
should be paid promptly and when
small donations are given him il should
of potatoes, q bag of meal, a peck of
apples can be given without sacrifice
and are valuable in his family.
1t is also unfortunate that in church
life troubles arise and very often by un-
thoughtful people who carry wicked
heart towards the pastor all the time,
and keep confusion in the church
This ought not be because a church
cannot prosper or the Gospel have a
free course while rent by wicked men
and women with confusion and strife.
When the church knows it has a good
pastor it should carefully guard the
reputation and the feelings of their pas
tor, and not allow the gossip loving or
the envious &c assail him. His people
are bound to protect him and if he is in
fault let them tell him so in the way as
become q church and try and win him
from his mistakes
A pastor ought not TO be compelled to
stand guard as watchful sentinel over
his own good name to defend it against
the idle but wicked calumnies of
michievous and slanderous tongues
There ought to be advocates and defend
ers on every side of him.
Now that the Lord has blessed us in
our homes and IN our church and that
while some of US are not here but in
Heaven and that while many of us
were sinners when Rev. H. Binford
to ok charge of our church who are
christians, now, let us thank God for
such a man and try for the future to
treat him better than ever before, and
pray for his success is the desire and
fervent prayer of this your humble
servant.
A Grand Success.
The Mt Olive Baptist Church Hen
rico Co., of which Rev. j. II, Binford is
pastor closed it rally Sunday night, July
3lst 1904, with astonishment TO ali,
Pastor, Church and friends $l47 .63 was
raised.
j. II. Binford, Pastor,
Alfred Page, clerk.
Lovely Mount Lodge, No. 81, Rad