The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1916-02-09
CHURCH ADOPTING
PENSION SERVICE.
Bishop Lawrence Of Episcopal Church
Will Devote His Time This
Year to This New
Idea.
TO BENEFIT REcToRs
contributory System Is Decided on as
the Best One to Use-Rector
Retires at Age Of
Sixty-eisht.

The Episcopal church has deter
mined to undertake the largest single
enterprise in it's history, namely, to
Institute system of pensions for it's
retired clergy.
Before entering upon this policy
the church did two things: Cd Made
a careful census of the salaries now
paid to clergymen, and Co Had cal
culatfons made by expert actuaries OF
the cost Of maintaining system the
permanent success of which there
could be no doubt.
The census of salaries, now com
pleted. shows the following principal
facts:
There are APO men in the active
service of the Episcopal church in the
United States. Their average salary
Is $1,000 year. This is not all cash.
but includes the value of a house
when provided. More than $500 of
these ministers, over one-half the to-
tai number. receive less than $1,000 a
year. Only 237 including the 125
bishops-receive $4,000 or over.
More than 700 men ere paid less
than $1,000 and many of these 700'
are the older clergy, with very hard
tasks. The church now Is virtually
carrying out scheme CT retirement
at the expense OF its older men.
Serve Richest Membership.
These meagre salaries are paid to
clergymen serving what is often as
serted to be the richest church men,
bership in America. Those men are
expected to have good education, to
dress well, to live and move among
people where rents are high, keep
open house, always appear cheerful,
and preserve their physical vigor
They are men of devotion, who often
exercise leadership in their commune
ties, and who must support them
selves, their wives and their children
on the salaries paid them. with little
or no thought of outside interests.
The ministers do not complain. But
the church itself must be efficient.
Efficiency consists partly in being
equipped to fight at the top-notcb of
enthusiasm and vigor. The minister
cannot do this il, with all his sacri-
fees, cheerfully made, while he is ac-
tive. he has no assurance Of compe-
tence In his old age.
Railroad companies seek efficiency
and enthusiasm from their men
through promises of pension. It is
the broadcast interest Of society that
every church should do the same.
The Episcopal church has passed
the exact vital statistics of the whole
body Of her clergy through the labora-
tory OF the best actuarles and has
adopted pension system which is
modern and sound.
System Has Been Adopted Il
1t is ccntributory system where!
by upon the payment by the parish
each year of an additional seven perl
cent. speaking roughly of the minis
ter's salary, he will receive on retir-
ing at 6S, pension equal to one-half
Of his average salary during his ac-
tive service. At death, his widow and
minor children will receive annual
pensions; if disabled in active serv-
ice, a pension follows
Thus in the full tide of active serv.
ice he can throw himself into his
work with the complete abandonment
of an officer who knows that whatever
happens to him, his dear ones will be
cared for, and he, IL living to old age. |
will go to his grave with dignity and
respect.
In order to take care of those who
should be pensioned Immediately, and
to give the contributory plan time 20 |
move permanently on it's own wheels, |.
an initial sum OF s5,000,0O0 is to be !
raised.
To direct the task Of obtaining this |
reserve fund. Bishop Lawrence OF Mas |
WILL during 1916. suspend .
active work in his own diocese and !
devote himself wholly to this great en- |
terprise.
The cooperation OF leading life in
surance officers and business men |
has been obtained to establish the /
scheme. Local committees will be I
appointed throughout the United I
States. To get this splendid undertak- /
ing on its feet will be the supreme
ask OF the Episcopal church in 1916.