The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1905-02-20
CORNER ON PRAYER
RAISES A STORM
Young Men Monopolize
Plum i'll Legislature.
SUPERANNUATES RULED OUT
Old Men Think They Should Have
Opportunity to Earn Five
Dollars Occasionally.
SUPERANNUATES RULED OUT

AUGUSTA, Me. Feb. 2e-The super
animated and itinerant ministers of cen
trail Maine. including the three cities
of Augusta. Haliowcll ana Gardner. are
much exercised over the attempt of the
younger ministerial element to rnonopo-
lize the prayer business In the Maine
Legislature.
In other words, they say certain minis
tiers belonging TO clique have de!io-
cYatcly formed Il prayer trust, and all
the old ministers that ncw ana then
used 10 invoke blessings arc completely
frozen out.
In years gone by it has been custom
airy upon the opening of the Legisia-.
ture for the presiding officcrs TO make
out list OF the pastors il the three
cities as they found them in the diree-
terry. but this winter. after the passage
OF tie order limiting the prayer making
to only those pastors having settled
parishes, a list was made out ~ the
Ministerial Association, composed Of
twelve pastors living in tho different
cities, and submitted TO the Legisia-
ture as the only qualified list to draw
from; and TO have the second order. in
creasing the price per prayer from s.
to %, follow so closely upon the heels
OF the first order has especially incensed
the frozen-out pastors.
The Association.
The Ministerial Association is an ex-
elusive religious club, composed Of the
Revs. George F. Degen, Norman Nc
Kinnon, Charles a Hayden. Benjamin
P. Hope. Henry E; Dunnack- Charles
G.. Mosher, w F. Livingston. all of
Augusta. the Revs c. A. Wright. Hal
lowell: J. Langdon Quimby, L. II. Clark.
Olaf Lindberg and r. n. Joceilyn. of
Gardiner.
The Superanruates say this star cham
Der clique of pastors is nothing more
or less than a ministerial political organ
izatien. There are a great many pastors
in the three cities who do not belong TO
the association. The number is limited
to twelve.
The Rev. Francis Grosvenor, retired
Methodist pastor, says he thinks 1t is
unfair legislation. He said today:
I'VE older ministers who are now in
the sunset of life like little extra
money now and then as well as other
ministers. and We think So would jingle
| in our pockets just as well as in the
pockets of the younger ministers. The
younger ministers seem TO forget that
We old fellows really bore the Drurt OF
| the early battles and paved the way fol-
the younger ministers OF today. Besides
| we need the market price of prayer
| even more than the regular ministers
because they nave a regular salary.
| Smacks of Politics.
The Rev. ]. r. Herrick, retired
Baptist pastor in HallowelI, says h
| thinks the whole proceedings looks Ike
a niercenary piece of business savoring
too strongly of politics. He thinks the
| Ministerial Association, if it Is guilty
of melting the legislation. could well be
| engaged in better business.
The idea of pastors getting together
| and deliberately planning how TO divide
| the leaves and fishes!" said Mr.. Herrick
| 1T certainly does not look becoming
in these people Of the cloth to thus
reach out for sordid gain. -
/ The Rev G. ". Colby, also retired
says he regards the legislation as IN
reasonable.
TIE Rev. H E. Dunnacls Methodist
and president of the Ministerial Associa
ton. says there are misconceptions II
regard to this prayer business. ut wa:
| not the purpose of the order to Gauss
| ennity or ilI-feeiing among the minis
tiers, but simply to regulate the selec
ton Of those who should officiate, SO a.
TO uphold the dignity OF the clerical pro
fession and keep out the irresponsible
and unqualified persons
Some of the Superannuates call atten
| ton TO the fact that the Rev Mr.. Dun
| mack is or the special committee 70
the relief of the superannuated for TIL
Maine conference.