Evening journal., 1918-12-19
CALLS TO PULPIT
Scored BY BISHOP
Prelate Warns Congrega-
tions and Ministers Prac-
tice is Wrong
PHILA. CLERCYMEN
DRAW REBUKE

Bishop Joseph F. Berry wishes TO dis
courage the growing practice among
Methodist Episcopal churches OF Call
ing pastors to their pulpits. Calls"
are In order In Presbyterian and
Baptist churches, which adhere TO the
congregational system. the bishop says.
but they are 'lawless" in the Methodist
Episcopal Church, where bishops ap-
point ministers to congregations at the
annual conference.
The bishop emphasizes these opln-
ions. and administers a rebuke TO a
Philadelphia minister who wrote TO
him announcing he had received
'call" from a certain church and asking
the bishop 10 appoint him to that
church next March. Bishop Berry with
holds the names OF church and min
lister.
In his letter TO the bishop the min
lister wrote:
my dear Bishop Berry--Several ON
cials OF the - Church were in my
congregation last Sunday and today |
am In receipt Of call from that church
to become its pastor next year. That
Will be an advance OF $1,000 in my sal
airy. ] have replied, pledging myself
to so. and am now writing you TO ask
II you will make this appointment"
Bishop Berry sent the following re-
ply to the clergyman's communication:
my dear Brother--l have received
your letter In which you tell me Of your
cali to - Church and asking II
Will make the appointment In re-
sponse, must say that both the church
and yourself have done an unlawful and
mischievous thing. That church has
pastor at present. thoroughly devoted
and efficient man, and to send an In
vitation to another minister before the
Conference year is half gone Is treating
The present pastor In a shabby and un-
brotherly way IL is unsettling him In
the midst OF his work and virtually
serving notice on him TO quit. That is
a thing no Methodist Episcopal Church
can do.
when the Conference comes II will
be proper for the brethren OF the
church to express their wish to the ap-
pointing power. ID will also be per-
fectly In order for you TO make your
Judgment and preferences known. But
no appointments tuil ne ilttt clA
months In advance OF the Conference
session--no appointments can be made
until the Conference meets.
"In the first place, ! do not know
who viii be assigned to preside at your
next Conference, and any assurance that
| might give would not bind another
bishop. In the seond place, II should
preside, 1t might not appear at the time
70 be the best appointment either for
The church or yourself, and my hands
ought not 20 be tied.
"'Csils to pulplts are quite right In
the Presbyterian and Baptist Churches.
That is part OF their congregational
system. But In a Methodist Episcopal
Church 1t Is wholly lawless. And a min
lster who accepts such a CALL as you
have done, Is equally lawless."
In conclusion. the bishop Informed
the minister that he is dealing with a
principle and calling your attention 10
an evil that has gradually grown up,
and which is sure TO make more and
more trouble" Bishop Berry says that
II he presides at the next Conference
session there will be open shop" and
ne will gladly hear the preferences OF
every church and every minister.