Evening journal., 1916-02-07
S5.OOO.OOO PENSION
FOR FUNDP.E. CLERGY
Bishop Kinsman'S Letter on
Subject Is Read in
Trinity Church
4420 MEN ARE
IN THE MINISTRY

Plans for raising q fund OF SJOOOOO0
TO provide pensions for retired clergy
men of the Protestant Episcopal Church
were told of yesterday morning by the
Rev. Il. j. kirkus in the course of his
sermon at trinity Church. The infor-
nation was contained in letter sent
out to the clergy OF the diocese by the
Rt. Rev 4. }. kinsman.
Necessity OF airording retired minis
tcrs means with which to meet expenses
of living has been discussed for a long
time by gatherings of clergy and laity
OF the Episcopal Church. but IL was not
until recently that the big plan was
actually set ON foot As a result. the
movement is already well under way to
obtain the S5.OOO,OOO fund. and directing
the movement for the next year will he
Bishop Lawrence of Massachusetts,.
who will suspend all other duties TO de-
vote himself to this task
Bishop kinsman stated. ia explaining
why Episcopal clergymen wcrc unable
10 save anything at this time of cNpcn-
sive living. that the average salary of
the 1920 ministers of the dcnomiuatio ion
now in active service was only 81 200;
tors. over onc-half of the total number.
receive less than 81 500 and that "only
237 including the l2j bishops, receive
s 600 or over"
He said in part
The Episcopal Church has determined
TO undertake the largest single enter
prise in its history. namely 10 institute
n system of pensions for IFS retired
clergy.
Before entering upon this policy the
church did two things tl1 Made care
ful census of the salaries now paid TO
clcrgymcn, aud l2l Had calculations
made by expert aciuarics Of the cost Of
maintaining q system the permanent
success of which there could be no doubt
The census of salaries. now completed,
shows the following principal facts
There are 1920 men in the active
service of the Episcopal Church IN the
United States. Their active salary is
$1,000 n 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
total number. receive less than Si,500
a year Only 237 including the 1876
More than 200 men are 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 a scheme of retirement
at the expense of It's older men,
These meagre salaries are paid TO
clereymen serving what is often as.
serted to be the richest church mem
bership I'm America Those mon arc
expected TO have a good education to
dress well, 10 live and TO 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 communi-
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 patty i'm being
equipped to fight at the tOpnOtch o.
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 com
petence In his old age.
Railroad companies seek efficiency
and enthusiasm from their men
through promises of o pension. u is
IN the broadest 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 actuaries and has
ADOPTED a pension system which is
modern and sound.
Il is a contributory system whereby