Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-03-29

sought, which is something that ap-
proaches Christ-like provision for our re-
tired ministers.
81. The endowment is not completed,
and will not be until the cash is actually
in hand. This is rciteration, but strictly
in order. II means, Of course, that much
careful work must yet be done in procur-
ing payment of pledges both by individuals
and churches. Collecting should be wise
ly and graciously, yet Systematically ana
persistently pursued Nothing but cash
really counts in taking care of the aged
men. In the presence of distressing needs
il is scant comfort for them to know that
there are pledges on the books of the COM
mission. :,
"2. The full $1,000 in cash will be
inadequate. The almost, if not qmte, ivo
per cent advance on all necessities oil me
makes the full estimate for the super
anuate look woeiully small-and Wheh
the tragic situation is intensified by pay
ing him off with from 60 to 20 cents on
dollar. the case is deplorable. we cannot
hope to do fairly by him with the re-
sources now in sight. Let the church not
mis,nderstand If our conference needed
500, 900 in the beginning 1T now needs
100000. The superanuate IS not re-
sponsible for this situation; he is the VIC
tim of it, and it ought to be the JOY OF the
church to lift this shadow from his life.
"3. The aged minister's need Is not a
reproach. Our retired minister has so
wrought himself into all the higher and
better clements of life-religious, educa-
tional. social and economic that the
church, not to say society in general,
owes him debt ii can never repay. And
l. hoe nj .,h, to
that he nearly always comes to old age
poor. But his poverty is not a reproach-it
is not due to indifference on his part,
nor to lack of economy or business ability.
When he asks for bread, he is not-like a
common beggar- pleading for charity.
He is still q man among men, and man
OF God. Whether a crutch or an empty
sleeve be reproach to an old soldier
depends upon the cause for which he
fought. Some wounds are badges of honor.
The heroes of Balaklava were never known
to blush at mention of their wounds. Nor
is the aged servant of God ashamed of
the career which has led to what he Is.
He may be poor, but is also rich; and has
communicated his riches to many others.
Mutitudes which no man can number are
in heaven today, and other multitudes are
ON their journey, which would never have
left the paths of sin, had he not lived and
labored. The old preacherl There is no
shame In his necessity. If he must come
to age in poverty, his poverty is his glory.
1t is the mark of the Lord Jesus: the
evidence of n life gwen to unselfsh devo-
tIon-to receiving crown from the
Redeemer's hand and placing it upon
humanity's brow.
'fLook not for this cause where the
narrow selfshness of men would place 1t.
1t is lifted high above reproach or shame.
1t moves in a lofty altitude, where we
breathe the atmosphere of the cross, and
stand near Him through whose flesh nails
have been driven-by the very men for
whom He dies!
Your secretary is now ready, If that
be the judgment of the conference, to
relinquish his commission, and take up
such other work As may seem best for the
interests of the kingdom"