Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-04-08
.CLERGYMEN GAIN
SUCCESS IN TRADE
One Runs Tea Store, Another
Is Financial Adjuster, While
Occupying PuIpits
CHURCH PAY NOW HIGHER

Filling n pulpit on Sundays and going
to business every weekday is usually
there are several clergymen in Philadel.
phla who have successfully governed
congregations for years while actively
engaged In commercial pursuits.
Their success was pointed to today
as proof that the talents OF the aver
age clergyman, would give him more
substantial rewards in almost any other
iihe OF endeavOr and as proof also that
the average clergyman is In the minis
try in response to an inward call
The Philadelphia ministers who have
won success in business made their start
years ago. because their earnings were
so small that 1t was necessary for them
to hnd some gainful pursuit for the
SAKE OF their growing families.
Conditlons have changed since that
day, and clergymen. being better paid.
as rule, are no longer goaded by ne
cesslty to turn to business. For this
reason, fewer have been disposed to take
time from their clerical duties during
the last few years.
Manages Department Store
One of the successful clcrgymcn-
business men is the Rev. DR.. Purdy B.
Meyer, who Is now one of tho important
men In the management of a depart
inent store here.
Twelve years ago, when he was pastor
or the Meyer Memorial Church. Rox.
church funds and the needs of his fam
lily caused him to seek employment at
the store. He was given a position as
tracer. 1t was small beginning, but
DR.. MOyer advanced steadily and is now
one OF the high salnricd men, being in
charge of the adjusting department and
having other important duties.
For years, he gave his salary as pas
tor to the church building fund. living
on what he earned at the store. The
church was built in honor of his father
and mother. Allen q. and Mary \.
Moyer.
Recently h" left the Moycr church aipl
became pastor of the Logan Communif,
Church. sixteenth street above Court
land. This church is able to pay II sal
airy. but DIR. Meyer has refused to nc-
ccpt pay for his work in the church.
DIR. Moycr said that hr founa that
his work ~ w"cNdayS gave him relief
from the h'sh nervous tension of Sun
days.
The strain continues until Mon.
day said DR.. Moycr. but after Mon
day work in the store is rest. ns il is
change from the work Of the church.
Of course, ] must make my calls in tn"
evening. but that has worked out nil
right. 1t is only when there l., n
funeral that ask leave from the store
l'r. Moycr's family has been raised
and he no longer feels the SUR OF nccc>-
sity. but he has no thought Of giving
up his connection with the department,
store
Runs Tea Store. Too
Another clergyman who has been sue.
cessful IN business is the Ecv. Mr.. G..
Clay Green. pastor of the Bethel chanel,
York below Twenty fourth street. Mr..
Green Is proprietor Of n tea and coffee
store nt Fourth and Vim" streets. He
has been in business for more tnan
twenty years and has been surrcssful,
- have ncve- taken a scat in the
front pew for gain" said Mr.. Green.
'and Tor that reason ! avoid discussion
Of the combination of work aS a ua >tnI
with work IN the business .icd.
when | entered business | had TO
provide for my family. The church,
at best. would not have been able to
pay me more than $1,000 and that would
not have been enough to care for and
euucutc my famllN.
II have never accepted salary from
the church. but that is not because the
church is unable to pay me Il salary.
Its financial condition is good
but We have never paid salaries TO
any one. 'X""pting several women who
were engaged in welfare work.
Salaries Are Higher
Clerglmcn in Philadelphia are undcr
less financial stress at present than nt
almost any other time in the past
Salaries were increased by conCrpga-
tions because of the inrrcascd cost of
living during the World War. and M
effort has been made tn reduce them.
Presbyterian clergymcn get Mt least
$1,000 a year and Il house. Without the
manse the minimum salary is $500.
Methodist ministers who are married
get a minimum salary of $1,000 and n
house. Unmarried ccrgymen get
minimum of $1,000.
Baptist clcrgymen receive about 20
per cent higher salaries than those of
five years ago. but there il no stated
minimum. Each congregation decides
what shall be the pastors salary. But
1t was said today that no minister of
real ability is under actual financial
pressure in Philadelphia.