POOR CLERGY

Marlborough Express, Volume LIIII, Issue 82, 8 April 1920, Page 2

POOR CLERGY

SPIRITED REMARKS BY JUDGE

There is food for thought in the statemen made by the judge in an English court of bankruptcy, where an Anglican clergyman was on trial. "If the churches of jail denominations," said the judgff, "do no;t see tfitit their clergy and pastors are better paid even if Christianity does not compel them, humanity ought to compel them to do so. I have heard nothing to the discredit of the debtor —I will not call him bankrupt." This is plain talk, but one that should be taken to heart by those who have church affairs in hand, not only in Great Britain, but in America as Veil. There are altogether too many men in the ministrj' who are compelled to live on a totally inadequate support. Somehow, some way; the churches must see to it that the ministers are in a position to provide the necessities of life for themselves and those who depend upon them. Th Methodist Times of London, commenting on, the question of inadequate support in connection with the words of the judge in the bankruptcy case, saysr "The scandal referred to is open and notorious, and, shameful though it is, we are glad and grateful that public men have spoken so plainly about it." The timu has passed when the laity could live in ease and comfort and, on the plea that tho ministry calls for sacrifice, take no adequate bare for the support of the men who are devoting themselves to this work, and their families. There imisi be honest, fair, and frank facing of the conditions. Even the world outside the church has taken note of the situation, and not to the credit of Christianity, thoiigh at times, perhaps, unjustly criticising.