The morning journal-courier., 1908-11-06

more than his salary in a pastorato of eleven years, and when he left his church, an unworthy man took his place, only to leave abruptly when his character was discovered In another case a pastor who was winning the people to the church in a peculiarly difficult parish, was forced to accept a larger salary elsewhere, and was replaced by a man whose little econ omes hurt his influence in the com munty
 Fix a minimum salary of $500 and parsonage, and as in Vermont, let tho Missionary society of Connecticut make grant to churches, on condition that they increase their own contri buttons to salary. The state points out the method to be followed, recog- nzing that the expense is greater in proportion to numbers and resources in the country and 1t makes grants to libraries, schools and highways on condition of self-help,
 Secure saving by yoking. Here are two adjacent churches that pay $500 each. half of which comes from the Missionary society Yoke them and make grant of $500, giving a salary of 5000. and save s300 to add to the salary of the pastor who must serve one church only. Let 1t be re- memhered that yoking increased the work of the pastor if 1t Is to he sue cessful, as he must devote much time to pastoral visits and evening services, giving q full share of time to the par sh where he does not reside. More ! tfnne is required for such work in scattered country parishes than In the city, Not often can the leading churches include two different towns by yoking them, without sacrificing the influence of needed leader in the social and educational life of one of the communities.
 Tho yoking of churches of different denominations in the same commun- | fly, with services in each at different hours. or at the same hour on alter nate Sundays. Is preferable. The eX- pertinent at oxford, Conn, of union between the Congregational and Epis- | copal churches. however. failed be- cause it was not only required that tho Congregational pastor should re- ceive Episcopal ordination. which he was ready to do, but his members must also be confirmed, But other Protestant churches can unite, and we may well insist that the church federation should secure union in many places. It may be useless to suggest that consolidation, of large churches Is in some cases indicated Tho church of 15O members that spends forty dollars per family might unite with its nelghhor across the way, and give its fine property to the Missionary society.
 X special fund to draw on for emergencies, is needed. A classmate, faithful pastor In a small church, died recently. whose life might have have been spared if he could have received needed medical treatment in time. The writer preached recently in a church whose sick pastor. during the very hour of service was stub jected to an ill-consIdered, and prob ably fatal, removal. made necessary by poverty. He had rendered spen- did service in a difficult situation on a meaEre salary special grant to pastor with children to educate will often mean the starting of son or daughter in preparation for mission ary service later, for many of our best workers come from these homes, but 1t seems 10 the writer that this supply is being curtailed for obvious reasons. A worthy pastor in one of our small churches was killed in an accident not long ago The chief aid given the widow and the little chll- dren was q supply of the pulpit by neighborng pastors, one of whom walked to his appointment. It is inn perative that We conserve in every way our too limited supply of men.
 A financial agent or state. mission. ary could show the small churches how to utilize moro fully their fnan. cIal resources. He should invite the large churches to become responsible each for the deficit in small church Ho should appeal to former residents to contribute regularly 10 their needs The writer believes that there arc many interested in the small churches who will give for their support. whr will not for tho other objects. H. recalls an instance, ono of many where a man Of wealth was appealed to- and gave one hundred dollars tt ,, tho church in the town to which ht came as a homeless waif and h, promised to make this m annual gift The State Missionary would thus In crease the resources of the society ant his salary would be good invest . ment.
 Concern for the welfare of the stat
 should prompt these gifts. From tn
 towns where these seventy si, churches are located go about on
 hundred of the two hundred and fifty five representatives In the egisla ture, These churches efficiently sus tained will supply the moral toni
 needed for political reform. and i'm prove the character of our legislature
 Churches aided should be require, to accept advice ae to yoking, choic
 of pastors, neighborhood meetings, ac ceptance of assistance in evangellstica work, etc. It ia time that the ab surd theory of the absolute independ ence of tho Individual church shoult