The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1907-1917, 1911-06-15
A Plain COuntryman Hands "The
Christian Index" a SOckdOlaQer

d
A friend has favored me with copy Of the
two letters which he wrote to our dearly be-
loved IndeD. L am going to watch carefully
to see whether the second epistle ever gets into
the paper to which it was sent
In the meanwhile, no harm will be done by
giving our readers the benefit of the letters.
The second one deals the present system
solar-p leXus blow.
To The Christian Index, Atlanta, Ga.
Dear Brother Editor In preparing my Sun
day school lesson few Sundays ago, came
across the passage in Micah Bill and was so
impressed that have written the enclosed piece
for publication, provided you think it worthy.
If it is worthy of your notice. then please do not
put my name to it in print because l would not
like to appear thus. However, | have no objec-
lions to my being furnished to any
who might privately want to know. Very truly
yours,
A BAPTIST, AND THE SON OF A BAPTIST
"The heads thereof judge for reward the
Priests thereof teach for hire and the prophets di
vide for money" Micah, 3-11.
In reading the above it is quite easy to think
that our present day ministrations are dangerous
ly the grounds occupied by the people
spoken of by this old prophet
The old adage of poor preach-poor pay
should be changed so that it would read thus:
poor pay-poor preach"
1t is alarming to see to what extent the
churches.
In the first place, when we are called upon to
dicipline members, the fact of whether they have
money not shows up too much and is very
hurtful, not only in discouraging the poor, but
in lending aid to the well-to-do in executing their
ungodly wishes and in Gripping the church for
good. The day has come when member can
pay his way out of almost any disgrace and his
standing is too largely based on what he is worth
in ucre.
Then, too, the dollar has reached it's unhoy
hold +hpOo+
of our pulpits.
1t is frequently said that preacher breaches
what he is paid to preach, and whether it is alto
gether true or not, deny that there
is some truth in it. Certainly the dollar goes
long ways in their deciding which of the pulpits
offered them they will accept. Grant that a
preacher should also think of his own family in
that decision, should the moral and spiritual out
weigh the financial, or should the opposite con-
troll him. Whom shall I send?" "Me, if they
pay enough"
ago to locate pastor at church. and while
at the association, we approached a preacher
whom we had been told was available and upon
stating business, he asked us very quickly
what the church paid, and upon being told, re-
piled that he could not afford it. The next one
that we approached asked us what was the spirit
ual condition of the church, and never did ask,
what will you give me? I knew of a case once
where the church had promised salary that
was up to their best, and before the end of the
year of their wealthiest members died. and
his help lost but when the end of the year
came and the church was something like $40
behind on the salary the preacher told them in
uncertain terms that if the money did not come
the sheriff would, and those few had to go down
again and get it. Just like the Master, can't see
the favor. Zion needs to be aroused but who
shall do it, verify some of the under shepherds
need it themselves.
We few pictures of Paul and S1laS yet,
thank God for that.
May these be the purifying of the Gospel river
to the saving of the world. SUBSCRIBER.