The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1918-09-05
CLERCYMEN ARE AMONG POOREST
 PAID MEN IN ENTIRE COUNTRY

In every crisis of national life the clergymen of America have stood in the forefront of patriotic endeavor; in every human crisis they have brought support, and guidance and comfort to souls in desperate need. Now 1t is time to measure the work and the needs of the preacher and pastor as men in other departments of work to- day are being measured, that their Value may be rightly appraised and their needs fairly met.
 The cost of living has greatly in- creased. Clothing, food, fuel, and all the daily incidentals that go to make up American life have gone up from thirty to a hundred per cent. And the oans and taxes for Freedoms war are making deeper drives into the purse. Wage-earners in every depart ment of the nations work have been demanding more income, and their de- mands have been recognized as just and necessary. Railroad men and miners, lumberjacks and shipbuilders, intuition workers telegraph-operators automobile-makers and all the null tttudes of skilled and unskilled labor ers have been counted worthy of their hire" and of higher hire. The United States Government, very recently, has raised the wages of two million rail- road workers alone, giving the poorest paid men an increase of 4S per cent. Corporations and individual employers without number throughout the Uni ted States have taken similar action. cfa1 iYao ha their men and using pressure when necessary to gain for them the means to live their lives and do their work as Americans should.
 Who stands back of the clergymen of America in these days of pressure? What great organization or compeI- ing authority, what generous heart or spirit of fair play is winning for your | minister, or pastor, or rabbi the sal ary increase that will give him strength, courage, efficiency, and suc- l cess in his vital and exalted work for | the welfare of the nation, and the Kingdom of God?
 Your pastor is not a cheap man nor an unskilled laborer. He has brought long, careful training to his task. He
 
 | to his qualifications and he Is being measured today by high and exacting requirements in the performance of his work, Carry that measurement | to its just conclusion. What salary would you expect to pay to the train 1 ed man in business of whom such in- I portant work and expert ability were required Set down on paper some of the qualities and duties you demand i of your pastor, and then judge their value.
 He must be a man among men, a
 man of force, tact, and agreeable per
 sonality, a good mixer, a man of | knowledge, wisdom, and authority, whose presence commands respect and
 whose word carries conviction. He must be able to influence men and
 women, win their confidence kindle
 their enthusiasm, direct their energies
 and organize their working powers
 He must be full of sympathy, ready
 with consolation, strength in weak ness, a bright light in times of dark
 ness, and a never-failing source of
 inspiration to the souls of his people
 You expect all this of him.
 l Your pastor, also, must be the sue
 cessful head and center of your or
 ganized church activities, business
 social, and spiritual. On occasion, ol
 as regular part of his task, he mus
 be an expert money-raiser. You en-
 gage him as your chief and leader
 the general manager of your church
 if not its actual creator, or savior from
 its difficulties. You put upon him g
 burden and responsibility you would never dream of entrusting to any
 cheap man in business.
 Nor are those his greatest tasks
 He must read, and study, and medi' tate, and commune with the Infinite He must understand men, and know their work, their trials, their problems z their temptations, their deep inner feelings and aspirations, and the ave
 nues of helpful approach to their sym pathies and convictions. He mus know something of history, science
 literature, He must be familiar witt all social needs and institutions, anc methods. He must be able to interp'
 ret the Word of God with true spirit
 ual insight, and practical human ap plication. He must stand before you in the pulpit on the Sabbath and de :, liver messages that search the soul , feed the mind, bring courage to tht , heart, make plain the path of daily : life, and lift you nearer to heaven, ol bring heaven nearer to earth.
 In these days, also, your preacher must proclaim the ideals and prin
 ciples of America. He must stir thu i patriotism of the young Rnen and senC
 them with strong hearts and noble wis ion into the service of their country
 He must pastor them in the camps ana
 follow them with his letters and pray CTS as they go across the sea to fight
 The Government values him so highl!
 that it has already called thousands O American clergymen into active serv ice to shepherd the fighting men an6
 help them win the war. At home tht