The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1906-07-11

prescriptive custom in his family and that his
father would be wounded if did not acant -
told him that under these circumstances would
take it, although would not use it for NV ner-
sonal benefit, but would give it to some nerson
who needed it. | do not remember ever III,
offered money afterwards for this service excent
on two occasions, and sngularly enough, the next
case was by member of this same Wilson family
a few months later
The third instance occurred in the fall of 49,
when was settled in Farmvie ladv n,t;,,a
OF Prince Edward, had married a gentleman ar
Jetersve She had been member of INV church
i'll Amelia, and | frequently at her house
When her husband died | went down at her 70
quest and performed the funeral rites and returned
home A day or two afterwards | was WALKING
IN the lower end OF Main Street, Farmville when
| met brother of this lady, who approached me-
and said; i am glad to see you was just look
ing LOT you. Here is some money that NV sis
ter MIS- -, asked me to give you" holding
out at the same time roll of Confederate notes
amounting to hundred dollars. | replied: "Mr
-, cannot receive that money from vour
sister. l never dreamed of such thing. 1t was
a pleasure to me to be with and minister 70 be-
in her affection. Send back the money with &c
surances OF my love and Appreciation He re-
sponded seriously: Il hope you will take it. for
am sure she will be hurt if you don't" | then
SAID: well, will take it, but will give it awav."
retraced my steps, going up instead of down
the street as | had started in "brown study &c
to what should do with that money, when 7 saw
approaching me godly old minister a chan1ain
OF the Confederate Hospital at that post saint
vi Oou ana a courageous and consecrated man
Whom had learned to know and honor and love
his head bowed down. evidently in deem tboh.'
lie mad large family and no means excent his
nedsle salary and 1T occurred to me at once
n, mere Is the man to whom this money belongs
we met saiuted one another fraternallv and 7
sdiu: brother -=, here is a hundred dollars
winch have just received present for preach
ing funeral. 1t has occurred to me that if NAV
DC convenience to you to have it, | cannot use
lor myself and shall be thankful if it is of use
10 you. lie lifted his hands and said: Brother
NcHwa1ne, II an angel from heaven had told Won
what to do with that money YOU could NOT have
Deeh better directed | just walking alone
mere wondering where am to get wood from to
Keep my wife and children from suffering, and
now 1t is provided" Handing him the roll of
notes, 1 said: "Well sir; if it gives Won as much
pressure to receive as it does me to bestow if
we are happy and parted, both thankful for
the opportunity
by what have said in the foregoing para
graphs L do not intend to intimate that there are
not occasions when it may be entirely right for
ielatives OF the deceased to show substantial an
peoiation OF ministerial service, especially where
expense has been incurred in rendering it. Nor
w tnnk 1t wrong in a minister, who needs it. to
appropriate such gift to his own uses "Circum-
Stances alter cases." and the individuals on either
Iue must Judge for themselves under their con-
ons. 1t does seem to me, however, that it
"ould be painfully injurious to the relations ex-
s between preachers and people for those
l'oeiving personal ministerial service to feel I'M
So' obligation to remunerate it or for those rem
~ ing such service to expect personal reward
III III other words, the commercial spirit ought to be
"Pt as TAR as possible, of the church and dis
I'ered altogether from the work of ministers of
oe gospel. 1t is true that "the laborer is worthy
- MS hire, but his hire" is due from the CON
Isation tor his aggregate service, and not from
uLuIViduals for specific work. Let the church see
L "I IT'S ministers are adequately supported and
their work