Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1910-12-10
SEEKING IDEAL
PASTOR FOR THE
I5T PRESBYTERIAN
Many Are Called ION Proba-
tom, but None Has Yet
Been Chosen.

Despite rumors TO the contrary, II
was learned today that the possibility
of naming a successor to the Rev
DIR. David r. Frazer, at the First
Presbyterian Church, is as remote as
II was a year and a half ago, when
the retirement of DR.. Frazer was de-
manded, after he had served the church
for a period Of twenty-six years,
It Is true that the official board has
tired out" a most desirable list OF
candidates, who have hailed from va
rious sections of the country; still, II
Is said that the $4,000 salary offered
the prospective ideal divine has not
materially aided, the committee IN
coming to a definite unanimous point,
whereby a call, minus the customary
red tape. could be extended a candl-
date qualified to fill the coveted pull
pit.
The "Old First Church official board
is most DESTROYS of securing a pastor,
for the work d~evolving upon the as
sistant divine, the Rev. w. H. Stub
blebine, is somewhat strenuous, con-
sidering the large congregation. Still,
the lack of unanimity and failure TO
get together" In regard to the decis-
ion is destined to hamper the early
selection of a divine who can measure
up to the STANDARD, in pulpit delivery,
magnetism, personal attractiveness,
rhetoric, theology and the executive
requirements needed to attain the call.
A prominent clergyman when asked
today why so many of our : local
churches were pastorless, despite the
Foot that la-ro ea1ariac - maid gpidt
well, I can assure you nat the min
lister Is not at fault, for in nine cases
out of ten he leaves on account of his
inability to LEAD the flock. Being a
simple pulpit fgurehead to be led
around by a few members of his flock
gets on his nerves, and he hastens to
pack his belongings at the first OPP
p%ortunity and seek a call elsewhere.
Pastor Has to Kow-tow Too Much.
This city has a number of n or
two-men' churches, to whom the con-
gregation bow allegiance. no matter
what the pastor might suggest. If he
decides to disregard their personal
wishes, no matter how inconsistent
they are, he may as well prepare to
SEND in his resignation.
You see, we are living now within
the zone of a commercialized church,
where the pewholders dictate the policy
and the brand of pulpit discourses that
their pastor shall preach. Gracious,
they pay his salary and keep the steam
up in the holy sanctuary, and why
should they not dictate the style of
preaching they should have!
I'VE are fast departing from the wor-
ship of our forefathers and attaining the
spectacular and bombastic methods
that would have shamed the old folks
IL they could arise from their graves
and see how soullessly some Of our
churches are conducted. The lot of a
clergyman today is far from being an
attractive sinecure. no matter what
amount of salary is paid.
Flock Wants TO Lead the Shepherd.
"Only recently a noted preacher left
our city and the public press made it
appear hat the Lord had again been
responsible for the change. Ii is so
singular that He has to shoulder so
many mistakes that are caused by
hidden difficulties that have existed be-
tween the shepherd and the flock. who
have decided to take away his staff II
do the leading. But what is true in
this city is also in evidence in nearly
every large city in the country, and it
accounts for the dearth of young men
who, during the present age, have
turned to the ministry