Seward daily gateway., 1928-04-30
ALTRUIsM

ALTRUISM
 In this day of much selfishness and self-seeking when many prompted entirely by sefnterest and personal greed is much in evidence it is refreshing to come in contact with marked illustration of the anti thesis of this spirit This pleasure has been ours during the past week We refer to the of the Rev. Leicester F. Kent who left today for Nenana after having spent the past week in Seward In Mr. Rents case we see iv ing illustration of the true spirit of altruism During the past three he has been serving the Episcopal church at Cordova and for than year has been hold ing services at the Episcopal church here in Seward and at Anchorage occasionally in the absence of regular rector
 MT Kent Is thoroughly educated refined Christian gentleman; and preacher of unusual ability When it became known through the press of his church short tune ago that he nearing the end of his appointment to Alaska mission work and would likely be open for work elsewhere he in very short time re- ceved some half dozen offers from churches in different sections Ot the Sates from Idaho Virginia and one in E. G. at salaries ranging from $2 400 to S45OO and modern minister's home in addition the salary in each 
 Did he accept one of these tempting offers? Mo- In- stead he accepted the appointment of Archdeacon of the Yukon at salary of $1 80O His home will be log house at Nenana. Comfortable, yes; but small and scanty furnished compared with any of the recores fused
 Outside his work would have meant comfortable home beautiful church. contact with refined and educat ed people, and the comforts and pleasure of being home all the time
 His work in Alaska, already has been stated for home small log house at Nenana, meagerly furnished; absence from home and wife often winter and summer sometime two three months at time. It will mean travelling up and down the Yukon and the Panama rivers in large boats and sna and during the winter trips by dogteams His work will be visiting villages up and down those rivers where his church has work estab shed visiting the people, mostly Natives in their homes, conducting religious services their homes and churches; and in all ways possible looking after their spiritual and other interests When asked why he accepted the Yukon work instead of the offers from the Outside he navey replied: "There plenty of who fill those places in the States but not many who do this work in Alas ka who willing to undertake it; and, under the circumstances, feel that am needed in Alaska"
 This incident has started thinking and has led us to look into the matter of the Christian ministry little; and we have made discoveries, and come to some conclusions First we are led to believe that the of Mr. Kent really illustration of the spirit of the aver age in the Christian ministry We know another min ister who left desirable business position and entered the ministry at salary just onethrd that he was for ery receiving and it 10 years before he received salary minister equal that received before he took up church work These not isolated cases but the aver age the usual
 And the beauty of it is that these seem to feel they making sacrifices This is true altrism.
 Our study of this particular matter has led us to new viewpoint of humanity in general and Christian in have thS cOnc1-