The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-06-07
'BALKS AT MATRIMONY.
Chicago Preacher Says He Will Not
Marry on $1,000 Year.

Chicago, June REV. William F,
| Bostick, pastor of the Chicago Western
Avenue Baptist church, f1inches at the
thought of marrying in Chicago on ST.
200 year and attempting to live on
that income in a manner BETTING thu
dignity either of the cloth or his church
Two thousand dollars would be the
| least on which to consider matrimony
in his belief. His 1ancee agrees with
him.
For that reason his intended wedding
first set for this month, has been post
poned indefinitely, and the minister has
rendered his resignation as pastor OF
the Western Avenue Baptist church.
1t is a mooted question, this Of
whether a man with salary Of only
$1,000 a year is justified in marrying,
with the congregation of the Western
Avenue Baptist church divided in opin-
ion.
Mr.. Bostick, however, does not blame
his church members for what he con-
Siders an unfortunate state of affairs.
He criticises the system.
The Western Avenue Baptist church,
at Western and Warren avenues, is one
of the Oldest churches of that denomi-
nation in Chicago and originally had a
membership of 800, but the encroach-
ment of car barns, power houses, and
industrial institutions has driven the
better class of residents into other
sections of Chicago. From 800 the mem
bership has dWindled to $50.
In the old days-when the cost of
living was not as high as it is now
the church paid its pastor $4,000 year.
Miss Alice johnson, the young wOm-
an who shares with Mr. Bostick, her
f1ance, the opinion that a couple can
not live comfortably in Chicago on
$1,000 a year, is principal of the high
school at Laid, Ill She is a Chicago
girl and at the close of her school to-
morrow will return to her mothers
4 e. 4 h
summer vacation.
Miss Johnson and Mr.. Bostick be-
came acquainted at the University of
Chicago a few years ago when they
were students at the university, from
which she matriculated.
Afterwards Miss Johnson entered
the Chicago Normal, from which she
graduated in 1910. She was made
principal of the Ladd school during
her first year of teaching.
AS a part of their plan to marry
whenever the income of Mr.. Bostick
reached a point where suc;4 course
would be advisable in their eyes, Miss
for a foundation of future prosperity.
Mr.. Bostick answered the question
yesterday of a reporter:
''Why shouldn't minister get mar
ried on $1,000 a year,"
There are a number of good rea
keep up a certain standard OF personal
appearance a certain standard of So
cia1 and home life.
"A bricklayer could better afford to
marry on $1,000 a year than the min
lister The bricklayer gets 65 or rs
cents an hour. Besides, he can wear
overalls while at work, but the min
lister must spend a good portion OF
his time visiting the church members
and must always look well.
''Whcn a man has worked his way
through college he ought to get suffi-
cine wages to make both ends meet.
The minister is not actuated by a get
rich quick scheme, either. in his plea
for more pay.
''The trouble with our Protestant
Christianity is its suicidal democratic
policy, its overlapping of church par
ishes, its JenomiTfational jealousies, it's
sectarian rivalries, it's overweight
competition, it's lack of centralized or
ganization and its cheaper grade of
ministers who are sent out by few
schools.
These preachers can only get a SAL
airy of $500 or $500 and they keep
alive the weak churches, which ought
| to unite in small towns, make one
church where there are now three or
five, and then engage a well trained
man and pay him what he ought to
get.
| Il don't intend to get married until
1 secure a church that can support a
married man as he ought to be sup
ported If I don't receive call from
| such a church I will go back to the
university and continue MY studies