Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1905-12-20

preachers proclaim the gospel for the salaries they
receive. A minister OF the gospel Is human being
like the rest Of us mOrtals and he needs food ana
raiment, place to sleep and variOus other things
which make life possible. In order to obtain most
OF these things he is obliged to pay for them. He 10
called lpon for contributions often when others are
immunefr0m such appeals. We have little patience
with those detractOrS and circuatOrs OF calumn1c6
about the ministry. These criticisms are unjust
and untrue in most instances and usually emlnate
from vicious brains One Of the nObIest examples
of the ideal ministry is the Rev. j. w. Bachman,
pastor OF leading Presbyterian Church in Chatta-
noOga, Tenn who declined to allow his congrega.
tiOn to increase his salary. He asked that the O1iy
of the church take the money and give it to the
poor and apply it to the spread Of the gospel. He
stated that his Lord had much less while on earth
than be has COW and surely he should be content
with the comforts OF life and to have more Of the
physical in this world than the Divine Lord. In
making his talk to the Chattanooga Church DIR Bach
nam said:
"My dear people, want another word with you
this morning. The matter brought before you on
last Sabbath without my knawledgedy nv IOval
friends our good deacons and seconded by other
OF the congregation, has moved me greatly. and
given me new evidences Of your love and care for
my welfare, though needed none. I desire to nut
it record this day that you have been faithful in
caring Tor my necessities.
Almost thirty three years ago some of you who
aA0 osAA uOAO ouu u1duy ONu6Fb OF your fathers
mothers who have passed into glory, promised 10
see that should be kept free from care and worldly
avocations and give myself wholly to the work Of
the Lord.
"Ihat VOW has been kept on your part have
never lacked since coming among you for good food
good ralment, and dwelling place for me and
mine. This is better than my Master had: yea.
more, have never known q sorrow rtrouble which
you have not been quick to relieve and helm in all
that mortal hands and hearts could do Time and
again You have ministered to more than nv necessi-
Iles ana met generously any known desire OF mine
Tor travel and recreation. For all this am pro-
IOundly grateful. "NOw in what shall further say
want You TO know that have taken no counsel
With flesh and blood, but much with NV God. whose
am, whom serve
81 love you more for what yon have done. ana L
rope you will not love me lesS for what ehaIl d.
am nearing my three-scOre and ten, aud my great
st desire ls 70 honor our Lord and set an example
o young and old which Will help.
MY manner and habits Of life are simple and
Slan,Iand it is my desire TO keep them 80. The
alary you are giving is ample for me and mine.
greater regular etipened might create habits 81
ase and eeli-indulgence, which would De haad 10
yercome when get to be an old man. 81 Won seg Il
am, not wholly unselfsh ID what am going 10
sk.
First, that yon will direct your liberality from
nyseIf to the poor TO struggling churches. ana
ne causes Of missions at home and abroad, ana
nr aged ministry. This will make you treasures
bOve.
Second, will request my board oi deacons to
o my salary remain as it is and present no restrC
Ions IN regard TO III to the session Of the church.
Ind 80 we will close this little disagreement, but
leasant episode, By singing:
ttBlest he the kfde that hindo (. 80 ;,