The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-08-15
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( Are We Serving Those We Expect 10 Serve Us?
  Them lin Their Arduou York

How many church folks have really ever considered the manifold duties and dispositions expected of their min- ister? To even half way meet their rcduirements he must be superhuman. and yet he walks this tangled sphere or humanity as an ordinary being. Tradition presents him as the we'll fed and splendidly kept man, who on sundays gives out a good sermon and spends the rest of the following week Fftting ready for the next sermon and
 -eating fried chicken. Daniel Webs ter defines the office of minister as F One who serves at the altar; one who performs sacerdotel duties, the pastor of church duly authorized or licensed to preach the gospel and ad- minister the sacrament" another def lnition, "To act as servant attendant or agent" Modern requirements are combination of the two interpreta- tions, and he falls to the lot of a man with more duties than a natural being can perform.
 Dr. Stagg's Remarks some years ago at a meeting of a body of women pr. John D. Stagg was asked to make talk along the lines of general morality in the community. One woman became enthusiastic all of sudden, almost a conversion, and re- quested him to preach against sa- ioons.' He wisely stated he was not attacking any cause or habits; he was trying to teach people by lessons of l help; stating a preacher was a teach ef, and his pupils would not come for a scolding; his effort was to have good saloon men, and by this means only. the great evil of whisky would be over eome.p
 " Today our preachers" must be very good detectives, or have an inspired agency to have knowledge of the true conditions among their parishioners. They must know when they are sick, from home or at home; must keep up with all family relatives and all of this with keen learning or alert eyes, because we do not give him our thought and attention.
 In his sermons he must not savor of personality because he might strike a sensitive soul, who is conscious of the fit of the cap. and thereby will not ap pear ito be preached at" As to doc trlnal sermons, never again. They the congregation, are not interested in ancient histories. So he must be some tnins unique. original to have a church attendance.
 Expect Two Things minister Is expected to live sim pie life, when the question of salary is involved, yet when they present him to the councils and visitors they are demanding man with some style and tersonal attractions.
 He must keep open house, because he belongs to the church, and his wife 'f is one of the agents that must can- fsyass the homes; know all the children / and call on new members, and If she is not hospitable and a good house. s<keeper there are looks askance, and words are weak. As for the poor in sthe church. the preacher fails in his duty, the idea of such a thing, and he \ paid a salary, too!
 These conditions and requirements do not apply to any one denomination. wherever there are churches and min .4isters these same sources of discon- |9tent, or restlessness prevail. He Is -Four preacher" and he does not please us. There Is little thought of how dis l. his flock. He Is supposed to be their leader, and they come and go at will and he must follow them up. or he Is sremiss.
 Some Want to Dictate Again there are some few in each congregation who would dictate church policies, and he must conserve his ideas to theirs. or they twill not play" church going. When this class of managers are absent the others wonder why questions are asked and the minister Is convicted. The world demands a perfect preacher, but he must be con- tent with ordinary congregations. Some years ago, right in this city, VIC happened to be present when a min ister called on a member of his con- gregation He found her indisposed, in bed, where she had been for several days. After a few pleasant remarks, he said. 'I came on little matter of business. My wife is about to employ servant who claims to have been in your service for some years. We want to know something of her from | 'tyou?" The sick woman failed to ob- fserve his inquiry until she had rebuked him. "Oh. yes. you did not come be- cause I was sick, but to find out about servant?" The good man. fired a little. his flushed face told that part of the story replied, Did you not let Inc medical man know you were sick? :? Would he come by intuition? I hold the same position in your household. am ready when called upon to serve you as your minister. There Is little time left me to- investigate the affairs eOf my people,"
 Few of us realize this as a real source of sensitiveriess in the church.