Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-08-13
PUBLIC "Henpecks" the PREACHER.

PUBLIC "HENPECkS" THE PREACHER.
There has been much public discus
sion and writing of late both in the
religious and secular press and among
prominent men both in the ministry
and out of 1t as to why the drift of
away from the ministry as u profess
sion rather than toward it, A writer
signing himself "a College Professor
gives some original views in the Chi
cago Interior, arguing that as teach
er in an eastern university for many
years and then in western college,
he has had unusual opportunities to
observe the causes of young mems
courses in this regard. He says that
tho decrease in candidates for the
ministry can be explained:
First, intellectually. The student Of
today finds our universities and col
leges pervaded by the scientific spirit
the belief that it is the sacred duty of
man to follow truth wherever 1t may
lead. He learns that recent scientific
discoveries have upset many time hon
ored notions and, apparently, have
made necessary "a reconstruction. Of
many traditional religious beliefs. He
is thrown into a state of doubt ana
perplexity. He is unable himself to
make the required adjustment of new
to old, and generally fails to receive the
assistance he needs. In this hesitating
and uncertain state of mind he fears
to subscribe to any creed or submit to
any doctrinal authority lest in the flu
ture he shall have to choose between
intellectual dishonesty and open repu-
diation. Such intellectual difficulties
are not alone sufficient to turn many
young men from the Christian ministry
perhaps; but they open the way for
other considerations which are enough.
in conjunction with these, to turn the
balance and decide the question.
Second, financially. The sinallness
of the salaries paid in the ministerial
as compared with other professions is
often alleged as a reason why SO few
young men Of high talents are entering
It, Doubtless the inadequacy Of salar-
les IS a factor, but not to the extent as
serted The capacity for heroism and
self sacrifice is not lacking In the
youth Of the present generation--wit-
ness the, volunteers for missionary
service of all kinds. 1t is not the small
ness Of the salaries. but the way in
which these salaries are often raised
in home churches, that constitutes the
hindrance. The possibility of having
his salary raised by church sociables
and suppers, by public appeal, and
house. to- house solicitation Is intensely
to the young man of self
respect and Independent spirit. He
feels that such support would stamp
him as an object of charity. not la
borer worthy of his hire. He knows
that his fellows who are intending to
enter the legal. medical and other pro-
LESSONS have to face no such pros
pect Small wonder that he elects to
become one Of their number!
"Third, in private life. The knowl-
edge that as Christian minister he
will not have the right enjoyed by 9TH
er men of regulating the details of his
private life as he sees fit, acts as a
potent factor in turning the young
man of the present age from this call
ing. He knows from his own observa-
ton that minister is subject to the
unwarranted intrusion and meddlesome
interference Of Well-meaning persons
in the most private affairs of his life
his domestic economy, his methods of
study, his recreations, etc. He knows
that administer Is Judged and criticized
in every petty detail, and the thought
Of being an example in the games he
plays and the clothes he wears is in
tolerable to him. Is it surprising? Ey-
cry serious-minded person recognizes
that he Is responsible for his influence,
and that this responsibility when met
entails real self-denial. But the object
of such self-sacrifice is to make ones
life count for the good of humanity
and the upbuilding of Gods kingdom.
Now, a mans efficiency in this noble
service depends largely upon the
strength and vigor of his personality.
When, therefore, to escape giving Of
Tense in any quarter he is forced SO to
pare down every PERSONAL popularity
and cut off every individual idiosyn-
Grassy that he reduces an originally Wig
orous personality to a pale and color
less repetition of type, the means to
defeat the end and his usefulness to
his fellows are diminished, not in
creased. Just in so far as the expecta-
ton that a minister will make himself
an example in the most trivial details
and the most intimate affairs of his
life renders him less effective in serv-
ice, 1t is not justified, but condemned.
bv the fundamental principles OF