IN DEFENCE OF THE PARSON.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 452, 13 March 1909, Page 3

IN DEFENCE OF THE PARSON.

[Contributed.]

* We hear a great deal nowadays of the rosey bed upon which slumbers the shepherd of the sheep, the parson, while the sheep stray away from the fold into unlawful pastures. The irreligion of modern times is put down to the apathy and neglect of the clergy, and sweeping statements are made, which, if true, the greatest humbug on the face of the earth would be the parson. Now, let us take the clergyman as we find him today : For many years he studies for his position, nearly always at a considerable cost to himself, then he offers himself, when thoroughly trained, to guide men and women to a higher life. He comes into a district, and the first ignominy he suffers is that he is dependent upon his congregation; if he is enthusiastic and his whole soul is in his work, he stirs up his congregation in fiery sermons, and consequently “ treads on the tender corns” of the pious laity. Each afternoon is reserved for visiting—the monotonous chatter and cup of tea, to bring souls into church. The prosperous business man sneers at the parson (who, like a faithful hound with his nose on the ground, sticks to his visiting), and he says, “ What a rosey time the parson has !” But that prosperous worldly-wise man never asks: Which is the easier, visiting people for their souls’ weal, or making money ? Could he visit ? Could he, day after day, keep up his enthusiasm, when his visits made no impression, and the object in many cases never attained. Again, how many professional men would sink, never to be heard of again, if the world gave them as little encouragement as it gives the clergy. ' And yet the clergyman never vacates his post —like a sentinel, faithful to his Master’s command, he surmounts his difficulties, and is ready with a smile for those who will take it. There has been spch a thing as '‘starving the clergymen ?, -=-men rolling in wealth have taken a delight in passing the plate in church, so that their three-penny piece should not benefit one of Christ’s humble disciples. And-when we sum it all up, a clergyman gives the whole of his life, simply for a living wage—some £iso to £2OO per annum —a sum which a medical man will earn in three operations. Took at the clergyman I I know one who does 10 hours’ work every day, who is not ashamed to enter the public house and rescue the “empty-headed fool” who, in his sober moments, jests over what he deems the bands of sky pilots. See himcycling for miles late at night, taking a service in the country—see him deprived of a night’s sleep, watching the flickering flame of a soul that is taking the plunge into another World. See liim in the thousand little calls that come upon his time, of which the laity know nothing. Then there is the devotional side, the prayer for the individual, the preparation for his own work, the hours of study and seriqus reading. Cry against the clergyman,

cry aloud, rail at him —but he will uot flinch. A greater thau he was deemed a failure ! If men would not hear the Christ, will they hear a brother man ? If Christ were scorned, rejected, insulted, is it likely that His humble follower shall receive honour and praise? You cry about collections, bazaars, and such like. Who is to blame ? Surely not the clergyman. How he must loathe the mean, grovelling system, how he must wince at the uncharitable action of his people making their religion a means of 'enjoyment. No, the clergyman has his burden to bear. He does not want your criticism who sit in the world —he will answer to God. Let the layman look at himself —let him blush scarlet at his own meanness and littleness — let him do his duty, uot as a manpleaser, but before God, and then there will be no such things as bran tubs, dual screechings, and the multifarious anomalies that keep the Christian religion in the land. Turn the finger of scorn on yourselves, and you will find in the hour of repentance the clergyman is your friend.