The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-12-01

fThe following address, prepared by
Mr.. Il. s. Barbour, was read before
the recent Baptist general association
In Petersburg, while the ministers re-
lief fund was under consideration py
tffs pastor, Rev. ;. r, boan.)
ask, Why the need or such fund?
ALI recognize the need, but why tnat
need answer, We do not appreciate
our preachers as we should. We critl-
cize their faults and failures, but do
not consider their burdens, sacrifices,
responsibilities and labors. we make
all kinds of demands on them, but 90
we make commensurate returns
They contribute much to make life
worth living" for us, and l believe IL
We properly appreciated their efforts
we would render more relief while
they are our pastors. My humble eff
forts In Church work, associations,
Sunday school conventions and tenn
perance reform have brought me into
close contact with many preachers,
hence | have learned a little OF their
burdens, sacrifices, faults and virtues.
We all know Of their burdens and re-
sponsibilities in public life. l have
tried to look behind the scenes to learn
something of the struggles going on
In the preachers private life do
not mention this In any egoustlc
spirit but In the hope that 1t might
lend weight to what / have to say.
Being an humble business man and a
layman, ask you. especially you lay
men. to consider this question from a
layman's standpoint.
Consider, first THE Preachers
Burdens and Sacrifices" Note a few
| items:
First When young man decides
| to enter the ministry he lays aside
! all dreams Of future wealth and what
the public term worldly pleasures
and self-indulgences." The young
man Of the country--whence come
most Of our preachers-hears the ''di-
vine CALL" confers with pastors. dea'
cons or others, and after prayfrful
consideration. decides to devote his
| life to preaching the gospel. Thai
/ young man. then and there. practi'
cally shuts himself up to that ons
, source OF income.
2. Often he enters the work bur-
| dened with debt. The problem of an
education puzzles the poor boy. but II
! he is made of the right kind OF stun
| he will succeed. Drawing all kinds OF
discouragements, being willing to dc
! any honorable labor to obtain an edu-
| cation. ] want TO say that l honor
| with all my heart such young men
| They usually make their mark In tht
world. He may have borrowed money
from some kind friend for part OF his
college or seminary course, and ther
he enters the pastorate burdened with
SCHOOL debts" Furthermore. his firs
pastorate Is usually with the weaker
! churches, because our stronger
| churches secure the man OF expert
ence. But let him not be discour'
aged. for he will find his level. i
IL better to start low and find YOU
level rising, than to start high ant
find II lowering,
/ 3. Note the expenses of his posi-
ton. He Is a leader, always in tbs
public eye, and he must dress accord
ingly. This demand extends also t.
the members of his family. II he is 4
married man (and I believe II abso
lutely necessary for him to marry. l.
he would do his best work in the min
istryt: Whether expressed or not
public sentiment demands that tht
preacher and his family dress neatly
and well. shabbily dressed preach
er will soon play out. The sl2 oil
SIS annual Sunday suit OF the da,
laborer will not suffice. The preach
err must so beyond that. / do not ad'
| vocate extravaganza in any sense Of
the word, but sensible and self-re'
speeding laymen do not care to b.
making excuses and apologies for tht
appearance of their pastor and hi,
family. The clothing of his family
as becomes their station in life, ant
the education of his Children otter
mean great sacrifice and heavy bur
dens.
I. I call your attention to an item
OF the preachers expenses that VIZ
frequently overlook-that Is his book.
and periodicals. which he must have
In order to keep his mind stored witt
feed hts mind as well as his body, al
fresh. strong. vigorous thought is de-
manded of the pulpit today. People
will not go to church to hear plati
tudes Something interesting and In
| structive is required. The preacher
who would keep up with the timei
and lead his people in the most i'm
proved modern methods OF church and
Sunday school work must buy and
study books and periodicals. A semi
nary professor said that a preacher
should spend at least $25 or $40 an
nualiy on his library. and to do him.
self Justice, / think he should Spend
much more than that. This iten
|
church member gives to all objects
S. In addition TO this. the preacher
must Re liberal giver. stingy
preacher cannot develop his church
In nbernlity. II his people are to re.
spend generously TO his appeals. he
must himself abound In the grace o,
giving" Often he must lead in civ.
ing to missions, because the member
ship estimate the worthiness of ar
| obiAct by the size OF tho preachers
gift He may be good pres cher
and pastor, but n he is considered
nats!morinus he Ia tferehv robbed oil
much Ct his influence for good.
come now to my second proposi-
ton: Are we Iaymen showing due an.
probation OF our preachers? We de-
mand men OF education and refine
ment. pietv and natural gifts. In our
| pulpits. We expect them to visit III