CHURCH CARS FOR MINISTERS

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23718, 17 August 1942, Page 3

CHURCH CARS FOR MINISTERS

1 DISCUSSION AT'UAMAKU ■" ' That town churches should provide their ministers with motor-cars lor visiting purposes was an emphatic statement made by the Rev. Dr. T. Paterson, of St\ Pauls Church, at the annual meeting of Column* Presbyterian Church. He was addressing members of the congregation in the absence, through illness, of the Rev. W. Lawson Marsh. .Commenting on the statement of receipts and expenditure, Dr. Paterson drew attention to a contribution of £96 Is 8d to the Maintenance of Ministry Fund, and remarking "charity begins at home,’ declared that the Rev. Lawson Marsh should have a car for his rounds. ■ “A town minister needs a car Just as much as the man in the country,’ said Dr. Paterson. "I wouldn’t be without one and I bought ray own. Think of the distances we have to cover! Fancy asking’ your minister to walk from here to the Public Hospital and back again! Personally. I cpuldn’t ’do’ that - hospital hill now; I have done it two .or three rtimes, ■ but on each occasion I regretted it for a week afterwards. A town minister should have a car. Then, again, all the people who become sick don’t live ■ next door to pne another. Personally, I would refuse needlessly to wear myself out.; Hbwevfer, it is strange to peruse your balance-sheet and to note that so much is going out when an obvious duty liesat your own door.” 1 1 ' Dr. Paterson was interrupted at this stage by Mr R. Brown, who, for the board of' managers, declared that Mr Marsh had been given permission to., usea car for visiting purposes. The congregation, he said, had accepted a “call” to the extent of £96, for the Maintenance of Ministry Fund, which was expended in the country districts "by way of an assistance to ministers’ stipends. Mr, Marsh, however, could use a taxi at any time. In view of what had been said Mr Brown added that Dr. Paterson did not fully appreciate the position.:' “There is a slight difference, but what I said , still stands," replied Dr. Paterson. “The Rev. Mr Marsh should make use of a taxi more than he does.”

A voice; He has a limit. Mrs Marsh said that Mr Marsh, hesitated about using a taxi on the score of the expense. “It is 3s 6d from here to the Public Hospital and the same for the return journey,” she added, “and my husband always thinks of the poorer members of the congregation saving for the plate. He simply can’t do it.” Dr. Paterson: I don’t think I’d take a taxi either, but a minister, just because he lives in a town, can’t be expected to walk all over the place. This terminated the discussion. •