The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-07-26

used just now in a childish manner all
down the line from the expensive coun-
try. club to the baseball game Sunday
afternoon. and the motion pictures Sum
day evening. These are some of the
things which cause what seems To be a
decline in church attendance in many
localities. Perhaps there has been in
not a few instances, an actual dropping
of in numbers Even so, we must re-
member that the services OF an active,
conscientious clergyman were never in
so great demand. and that never before
has he had approach to so many people
of so many kinds and conditions.
Getting down to more definite de-
tails about the modern city minister and
his job, let us take as starting point
this study we are sitting in, whore ]
keep regular office hours. DO you know
that many a man and many a woman
comes here to talk over perpleXities of
family or business relations who new
would come to my home for that pur-
pose?
In former days the minister didn't
have an office in his church or parish
building and when he saw people in
his own home they felt under more or
less restraint. l|ut here they come
freely. lay before me secrets that
weighing down their minds, breaking
down their bodies wrackng their very
hearts. And I tell you that sometimes
as listen it takes all the grit I pos
sess to remain calm and I'LL those UNI
happy people fun Of courage and deter
mnation first of all to do right them
selves. and then to keep a brave face
10 the world.
Furthermore, a clergyman who rec
ognizcs the increased breadth Of his
opportunity frequently is called upon To
render service to the State or To- tn
community wherein he resides, h,iug
called upon by the Governor Of tn,
Commonwealth or by the Mayor If his
city To serve on committees or in con-
ferences called for discussing matters
of public interest Las, winter. You
remember. there was an uutburst If
public opinion as to regulating the all
night restaurants along the Great whit.
Way. Mayor Mitchell. desiring To- deal
Justly 10y ali concerned. appointed
committee consisting II seven men and
including professor in Columbia tn!-
Vcrsity. the proprietor Of one Of tn,
leading hotels. a member II the vice
committee. the manager of a New York
newspaper and ny self as a clergyman.
And he put the whole matter up To- this
committee. telling us To make careful
Investigation, to decide what should be-
done and that he would carry out our
rec concentrations.
I'VE must not forget the fact. how
ever. that in spite Of such activities as
have been mentioned the heart Of a
minister's service Is to preach the
gospe. he believes in: tina, is his main
job. And ii must also be remembered
that at present his pulpit is movable.
that II he Is "A wise man he takes 1t
out into the world with him.
Five days each week while am in
the city. | 20 To- Pratt Institute. of
which ! am chaplain. and conduct brief
religious services Twice a week I
make there a four minute address. try
Ing To give at least one definite impress
sion to as many of the 5000 students
as are assembled"
What are the largest salaries paid
To- ministers OF New York churches"
with the possible exception Of
bishop or TWO" said DR.. Roynton. "the
largest salary ! know Of in New York
Is $1,000 year. quite number I
believe, receive $4,000. hut the more a
minister gets the less he has This is
absolutely so.
"A minister has to live in a way that
ne may meet on approximately common
footing the people among whom he
serves as spiritual leader. He has 10
travel from one part Of tn, country To
another; he has To undergo many other
expenses not necessary to the minister
Of small church. Of a congrt CATION
that lives mod"s;ly. For example. a
M! mister who receives 81 800 salary NAV