Evening journal., 1913-03-26

wrought against greater obstacles than
the Rev. T. c. Smoot on Kent Island
charge Though so crippled by re-
peated attacks Of rheumatism that he
was out oil his work for nearly three
months, he comes to this conference,
every apportionment met in full, and
fifty probationers added to the church
membership. For grit and grace
that win when the odds are all against
us, Brother Smoot holds a high place.
In sheer justice it should be said that
be commanded the situation from the
first and his return is unanimously
desired.
1T would be a labor Of love to make
a personal mention of others who
wrought as faithfully and painstak-
iugly as their more fortunate breth-
rem, but who were denied the previ-
lege of immediate harvest. One
soweth and another reapeth' is 3
truth that should go far toward al
laying any feeling Of disappointment
present always when reward fails to
follow honest, consecrated toll. TIC
Him whose we are and whom we
serve we can commit botn or vic.
tories and our defeats for our labor
is not in vain in the Lord, and the
reward of him who tarries by the
stuff is as him that goeth forth to
, battle
Urges Higher Salaries.
That the laborer is worthy Of his
hire is an apostolic truth not as full.
ly recognized as it might be by those
who hold the purse strings. In too
many cases the question is not how
much can we pay the minister but
how little can he get along with
IL may be put IN less bald fashion
but that is the meaning of it as many
poorly paid minister knows to his
sorrow. The average salary in our
conference is very little above what
It was when living was far lower
than it is now. It may seem like
tiresome iteration, but the truth
should be iterated and reiterated un.
til conditions are changed for the
better, that salaries are low because
of a tight listed policy in some in
stances, and a miserable, makeshifi
financial system in others. It seems
an almost hopeless task to get GER
tain churches to abandon the pay al
the end of the year custom, and to
adopt instead the pay as you go plan,
the only method that is free from the
embarrassments to which such a
| large number Of our ministers are
now subjected. The first named plan
once tried will give such satisfaction
that It will never be set aside. It will
| be increasingly necessary for the
churches that want the best minis
terial talent procurable to do what
their officials do in the conduct Of
their business, make the remunera-
ton bear some just relation to the
skill and value of the services render
ed. 'Mercenary,' it will be said. BY
no means. If the minister had no
material problems; If he could live
on the food of angels, and attire him
self accordingly, he would have no
need to consider mere matters OF
commercial moment, but he is very
human, and stern necessity does not
pass him by. The actual, financial
demands made upon him because Of his
profession prove a serious draft upon
his usually slender resources, in so
much so that strict heed needs to be
paid to those demands. Happy the
church that seeing its weaknesses
seeks to remedy them.
-Four charges have advanced salar-
les this year. Hillsbore from 5000 to
$1,000; Sudlersville from $500 to
$780, Colt $500 to $3.50; Royal Oak
has $50, making a total advance for
the year $500. Twenty-Five charges
have advanced their salaries in three
years, making total Of S2S00 When
the inevitable limitations Of Eastor
district are considered this is a show
ing that reflects credit on both past
! ors and people"