CITY MINISTERS AND THE UNEMPLOYED.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 586, 14 August 1909, Page 10

CITY MINISTERS AND THE UNEMPLOYED.

• Sir,—Recently a' young min was heard to say, "I have done with ministers; they would havii me work for five bob a day"; bui.this'. statement is a double' misrepreMntatioh, for. it was only one niinistoi'. as'fa'r as I know; who mado tho remark ' which 'I' myself heard, and of which the above words.are a perversioh, for his meaning simply was that in dull times when little work was to be had it was for better to work for ss. a day than not to work at all—surely a rational view that will bo endorsed by fill fair-minded men.'' .But doubtless there is a prejudice against parsons in tlio minds of somo of tho so-called working classes, .who take it for granted'that■.minis-' ters do not work except on one day of the week, as if visiting'the members, of ajarge congregation involved 'no labour; , not •to speak of making at least two. hall-hour , addresses a .week,'and. of the manyjoutside interests which make demands upon-tlio_tiine ! of city ministers-But if throughout Christendom it is universally acknowledged that tlio Divine Founder of the Church appointed prophets,' apostles, evangelists, and' teachers to carry : oii his work; in the world, it'is strange and sad that thqro,should still bb'iii some quarters suspicions and slurs thrown at tho Gosjx?] ministry as if it was, a mere moneymaking concern. I But such criticisms could not be made by thoso who know how much must be spent at high school and collogo ;bo : fore ono can enter the ministry, and; .howpoorly it is paid compoi-cd with qthor professions and how Bometimu3 jaon givo U£_what

would likely bo lucrative position!) to becomo t ministers of tho Gospel. Had I remained 1 in tho National Bank of Scotland I might 1 have now been getting- some £2000 a year,- s liko my cousin, whom 1 got into the came of- 1 lice, and who is now. tho senior cashier of tho s Hank of England in London. On the other i hand, during the 39 years of my ministry c my -average - salary has boon less. than £150, ; arid-yet I do not regret my choice, for- a ] minister is a servant, and there in no.nobler calling than to give oneself to serve, -to .tho highest service- alike of man and of God. j And it was in response.to the appeals of tho ( ministers-Hint-tho different churches havo just given so liberally on behalf'of the unemployed,-- and if those wore, but to think . a little, mow of. such practical -sympathy it might-tend to,lessen any. grudges against those who. occupy church pulpits, a position which they have not taken- upon them, but to which lihey have been called by the pooplo themselves. —I am, etc., > ONLOOKER.- ': August 6. _ '■■:'.-.