Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1905-07-21

formality. The shepherd and his flock
illustration might possibly have been
a good one a few hundred years ago.
but today the minister that presumes
to interfere ia the family affairs OF his
parishioners, or the members of any
family that invite such interference,
make a sad mistake. IT'S a pretty good
rule for even ministers to follow.
Mind your own business"
Not so many years ago II was tho
regular practice and custom of these
calling ministers to always ask after
the immortal soul OF some impenitent
member of the family II was not
considered at all out of the way for
such callers to have on such occasion
family prayers and IL the Sinner" In
the household happened to be 81 kind
and indulgent father, to pray for the
reprobate this is strong language. this
in the presence of his wife and chill
drcn. Again during revival In the
community, IL was nothing uncommon
In those days, for the good Christian
woman, to stand up In church and ask
the prayers of the Christian people
for her husband, who was an ungodly
man, and unless he was turned from
the errors of his way. would be cter-
nally lost During those seasons OF
prayer In those days. 1t was COM
monty expressed pulpit opinion. that
the moral man was US sure OF neil w
the convicted murderer suddenly cut
off before he had time and chance for
repentance.
But to return TO our muttons." This
age OF the world is thru with priestly
private admonitlon and control.
one of our Christian denominations
still think necessary part Of the dut-
les of the priest to Interfere by word
of unsolicited control. this In fam
ily affairs 80 much the worse for the
priest. II some deluded mother stu
thinks of going to minister or priest
for advice concerning family mhtters.
God help the mother and GOD help the
family. They'll need his help.
Bishop Berry gave some good advice
to young ministers The writer can
also. Advice Is 1.-THE easiest thing we
can dispose of. the hardest thing to
accept. There is n growing and Of
ten expressed opinion that no congre-
CATION, no church, hires minister's,
wife. when said church closes the con-
tract for his services. True In every
respect save one. There Is or should
be an implied contract that said wife
assists said minister In the pastoral
call department. Let us amend tho
bishops admonitions. Call on the wo-
men Of their congregation when they
are likely to be alone in the afternoon"
but always take your wife along. NOT
to be sarcastic. but the men OF the
house will be more than pleased IL all
pastoral calls are made In the after
noon, always provided you bring your
wife along. But In the evening, when
the head OF the house Is at home, come
and make call that Is not pastoral
Come as q man, a citizen. fleighbor.
Leave your imaginary white necktie
at home Drop In and talk sense or
just as the mood strikes you.
Don't even talk shop" Above all
things don't hint or mention the finan-
cial needs of the church. Don't be
afraid of losing your dignity. II you've
brought It with you. And above all
pens to be an unregenerate son OF an
age. one that even plays
cards, dances, or attends Sunday base
ball. avoid those subjects as you would
Infection Sunday morning he'll go to
church and listen complacently while
you pound him." on such shortcom-
ings. but at home, surrounded by MS
family. he has serious objections to
being held up as going to the demnition
bow-wows.
p. S. A good lady that sometimes
looks over these words, asks how
young minister is going to take his
wife along, when making pastoral calls
IL he is not married. One naturally ex-
poets such trivial uestions from the sex
that cannot spell logic-Mrs. B. No
man should be minister or accept
call from any congregation till he is
man.
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