Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1904-08-23

while others receive pay Tor their toll
he exists on the generosity of Christian
people? Over and over agtin one hears
the remark that ministers have nothing
to do, often, indeed, spoken jokingly,
and yet with background of convic-
ton that gives 1t sting. Then, too,
the attitude of certain churches to-
wards their pastors in financial matters
seems practical declaration of the
light in which they are viewed. From
the reports sent to our religious papers
one would infer that whilta an increase
in the pastors salary is thing of fire.
quent occurrence, decrease is some-
thing unknown. And yet. there are
probably ten cases of reduction OF SAL
airy for every one of increase. SUCH
an experience is exceedingly humiliat-
ing to the minister and 1T Is not strange
that he should desire to keep it from
the public. 1t is sometimes the case
that the decrease is really made neces-
sary because of changed financial con-
ditions; it more often happens that
the cut is made when the only change
is in the spirit Of those who support
the church. Is there or is there not an
increa sing disposition on the part OF
churches to make the pastors salary
inst as small as will serve to MAINTAIN
life? With constant increase In III
dividual and national wealth, salaries
Of ministers are decreasing. 1t can
hardly be other than that the minister
should feel that here Is nm indication
Of the value which the pew puts upon
his work"
Replying to the question OF TINS
scribe regarding the minister's aolii's
to LAY up something for old age rev.
X. continues:
..Is the pastor mercenary In desiring
to make some provision for OLD age
Clearly, it is quite possible FOR MIN 10
set his affections too strongly upon
money. He is not free from the temp
tat;ons which are common to men. pui
those who know the Christian minis
trv hest will testify that covetousness
is not the besetting sin. Some sharp
criticisms are made of ministers VINO
invest in gold mines or Oil STOCKS OF
in other get rich" schemes. Well, let
us nut ourselves in their place. Ihey
can save little, II anything. II they
succeed in laying by $500, what shali
they do with it? They are not In BUS
mess where they can invest 1T with q
fair certainty that it will bring large
returns in profit. 1t Is not often that
one of the successful business men OF
the church thinks Of giving his pastor
a chance to profit by his knowledge OIL
the business world and pf paying IN
yestmepts. To put 1t In a bank for
.,,,;opS yyhara il will draw - per cent.
interest or loan it at per cent means
a small income. is IT any Wohaef
that so many ministers are caught py
glowing prospectuses which promise
an independent fortune from an IN
yestment of a few hundreds OF dollars:
at will be urged that the minister
should be thinking of higher and hol-
Ter things; that he has dedicated him
self to unselfish living and should not
he hungering after the iesh-pots OF
Egypt. What of his children? Shall
they go without an education? with
out fair chance in life? What Of his
old age? There is in some churches to
he sure, home for the aged preacher
and his wife, but beautiful and grac-
| ious as is such q charity, it Is not
| greatly desired by the average minis
| fer. over many a pastor the thought
| Of old age rests like nightmare. He
can provide for his own when he is in
the fun vigor of his strength. but when
he is no longer able to toll what is to
become of him? And 1t is not of him.
self only or chiefly that he is think
| ing. but of the mother oil his children
! the faithful and deYoted woman Who