This question is assuming such proportions as to threaten the very existence of the denomination in many localities.The news comes from every direction that the preachers are not supported as they should be, nor even as the churches in many instances are able; and as a consequence they are forced to resign the care of churches in important places, and seek other fields of labor, and may be, are driven from the ministry altogether. In this the churches are to blame.
But on the other hand, ministers having been so shamefully treated by the churches in this regard, have thought they were justified in demanding a fixed and certain salary, and some have gone so far as to require not only that the amount be fixed and certain, but that every dollar should be placed in the treasury, or that two or three perfectly responsible brethren bind themselves personally and severally for its payment. All of this, with all due defference to the opinions of others, I consider as totally unauthorized and in violation of the Scriptures, and is just as bad on the part of the minister as the failure of the churches to give the proper support is on their part. Two wrongs never made a right.
Now I hope no good brother will become offended and accuse me of being too severe, and casting unjust reflections on the ministry, and thereby doing an injury to the cause of Christ for if I know my own heart it is the good of the cause that 1 seek, and that prompts this article.
I have said in a former communication that the gospel should not be made the subject of bargain and sale, and I still say it. It has been urged in reply that for minister to enquire into the willingness and ability of a church to give him a support was not a bargain and sale. This I readily concede and do not object. But in answer to this, would here state, that I consider the argument as a clear case of dodging the question as put by me. But I do say, and shall attempt to prove, that when a preacher fixes a certain amount of salary, and demands that of a church for his services as pastor, and the church agrees to pay it, that preacher has sold, and that church has bought what they are pleased to call the gospel.
What does it take to constitute a sale?
Answer - A thing, a price and a consent.
If it is objected that it is not a sale, but a hireing [sic]. The objection is technical and cannot effect the question, for the principle is the same in both, and it takes exactly the same essential ingredients to constitute a contract of hireing that it does for a sale.
The amount demanded by the preacher is the price. The sermons to be delivered, and other things done, by the preacher is the thing, and the agreement of the church to give the price for the thing completes the sale. And if the church has a charter of incorporation either party can compel the other to fulfill the contract by law.
Then look at it in another light. Christ cays, "Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature." Here is a country where men and women have grown up to man and womanhood, and have never had the opportunity of hearing a gospel sermon; among them are a few poor Christians, they get together and agree to send and request the services of a preacher. The people are anxious to hear the gospel and promise these Christians that they will help to support the preacher. They send for him and beg him to come and preach to these benighted men and women, who are dying in sin, never having heard the good news.
The preacher replies, I have a wife and children to support, and it will take a thousand dollars to support us in the style of the country. If you will raise that amount and secure its payment to me by the personal and several obligation, of two or more perfectly responsible men, 1 will come and preach to you, i.e., tell you of the good news, otherwise I cannot. Will some one please tell us what is the consideration that controls the action of that preacher? Is it a desire to obey Christ, or is it not rather a seeking after the good things of this life? Evidently it is money and not the salvation of souls that influences his actions.
Then as I am not authority on so grave subject, I will let Dr. Adam Clarke speak, on Matthew x:8. "Freely ye have received, freely give." "He who preaches for a living or to make a fortune is guilty of the most infamous sacrilege." And our own A. Sherwood in his notes on the same passage quotes Clarke, thus adopting his views as his own. We must determine the motives of the man by his acts. "By their fruit, ye shall know them."
The perishing souls cry aloud for the preacher to come and teach them the way of life, but they cannot raise the required amount of money, and the preacher don't [sic] go. Why is it? Is it because there are no souls to be saved, or because there are no loaves and fishes?
As I have said before, if the preacher is already employed he is excusable; but if unemployed there is no excuse.
Preachers as a general thing are, and they ought to be self-sacrificing men. But can there be any such virtue claimed by the man who refuses to preach unless he can be assured of a living, and that better than the very large majority of his brethren even hope for?
Our blessed Lord, the greatest of all preachers, had not where to lay his head, and he sent out his disciples telling them not to take money with them. But at the same time he said the workman was worthy of his meat, and this I do recognize and contend for, and I take the position that the earnest, faithful preacher will be fed and amply supported, and that, too. without a fixed salary well secured The Lord has promised it, and his promises are sure, If they are not fulfilled toward us we may know certainly that the fault is in us. Unbelief prevented Israel from taking possession of Canaan once, and kept Moses out of the promised land, and it has sent thousands to everlasting death, and it will keep many a preacher from being comfortably supported. Let the preacher do his duty and trust in God, and surely he will be taken care of. If it is not so why preach at all? for if the Lord fails us in one thing he will fail in another, and there is no certainty.
If permitted, I propose in my next to suggest a plan in all respects feasible, which, if faithfully taught and carried out, will entirely do away with the necessity for fixed salaries.
========= [From The Baptist newspaper, May 6, 1876. CD edition. Scanned and formatted by Jim Duvall.]
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