Putnam patriot., 1919-09-12

in two places at the same time" Err
nest c. Morse of Putnam, a local
member of the Connecticut Fund
commission, introduced the speaking
with word of welcome to those who
had come as guests, and his assurance
that Windham county would respond
adequately to the honor given it in
starting the campaign. He introduced
Rev. William S. Beard, director of the
Connecticut drive, who hardly needs
an introduction, for he is a native of
the county Mr. Beard took occasion
to say at the start how greatly in
debted he felt to the dear ladies IN
the kitchen" for doing their part so
we'll He also paid memorial tribute
to the leader of this church for so
many years, Rev. Frank d. Sargent,
whose memory blessed this occasion.
Then, turning to the main subject of
the evening. he introduced Rev. Her
man F. Swartz, D. D., of New York
city, executive secretary of the Ma
tional Fund commission.
We are engaged in building me-
mortal to the, Pilgrims, said DR..
Swartz. 1t is not to be of cold stone
or. as some one has facetiousiy
suggested, of ''hot air." but living,
productive provision for the building
of character. This memorial Is to be
in terms of human life, notably IN
terms of leadership. 1t is practically
to recognize and care for the heroes
who are giving their all to the service
of the church, at sacrifice of oppor-
tunity. of ease, of wealth, even of the
comforts of life; even more. of pro-
vision for their children and their old
age. To do this is not only duty
but necessity, for the church is suf-
fering through the lowering of the
dignity of its ministry. The poor re-
Enumeration is driving out of the MIN
istry some of its best men, and keep
ing away from it the fine young men
who might fill their places. The stand
ard is being lowered, and a shortage
of men is created, so that third OF
our churches are without pastors.
We face not only the necessity OF
being true to Pilgrim history and to
the church, but of meeting the de-
mands of social justice and economic
necessity. 1t is an economic principle
that "a business which absorbs
mans productive life must pay all the
necessary costs of his whole life The
minister. by reason Of his long educa
tional period, comes to his productive
age later than most men. For nm
| moreover. the dead-line comes carrier
| Churches think a man old at so. fe
BY reason of his habits of life, min
lister lives longer than the average o.
men. Something must be done t
care for those advanced years. 81
comes the plan of the Pilgrim Me
mortal Fund, whose income is to sup
plement payments in the nature OF IN
surance premiums from the minister
and assure him at IS years an annuit,
equal to approximately half his aver
age life salary.
The financial need is plain. 1t ha
been shown that the least amour
which will sustain life for family o
five under present conditions is 81,
500 year. Yet over two-thirds 0
| Congregational churches pay Sl,o0
a year or less. Only three and hal
per cent of them pay $4,000 or more
Only IT per cent pay the $1,000. n
wonder that those who know thes
facts. not only from the statistics ou
from hard experience, will no longe
let American boys-sons of the IN
grims-assume the hazards of tn
ministry. There must be raising Q
the standards of ministerial salaries