STRAIN ON CLERGY

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 19985, 10 July 1939, Page 14

STRAIN ON CLERGY

MANY BREAK DOWN •r COMMANDMENT BROKEN That ministers might very well observe the fourth Commandment, that on six days man might labour, but on the seventh he should rest, was a point stressed by the Rev. J. Ryburn, at a meeting of the Dunedin presbytery. Attention was drawn to the matter by the fact that many ministers were dying before reaching the retiring age of 65. This was thought by some to be a reflection of the strain of ministerial work to-day. “The time is coming when the courts of our church will have to consider very seriously the conditions of life in our ministries to-day,” said Mr. Rv.’ourn. “I refer not only to economic conditions, but also to the strain of ministry, which is breaking down many of our men. The presbytery should do something to insist that all ministers should observe the Commandant that there should be one day’s rest in seven. We are preaching this to our people, but we are the worst Sabbath-breakers. The failure of ministers to observe this Commandment is one reason why ministers aie not living longer.” With a brief remark that it was a matter that did call for comment, the moderator, the Rev. Mr. Stevely, closed the discussion.