SUPPORT OF THE MINISTRY.
BAGDAD, SMITH COUNTY, TENNESSEE, JANUARY 23, 1845.
DEAR BROTHER FANNING:—I have a mind to write a small piece for the Review, and if you think it worthy of a place in that periodical, you will please insert it. There is one subject which I think has been too much neglected by the teachers in the Christian Church, both in the pulpit and by the press. I mean the support of our brethren who labor in word and doctrine. In the most of the sectarian societies, their teachers impress this subject upon their hearers, both saints and sinners, and they have a systematic plan whereby a sufficient sum shall be raised for their preachers. In both the law and the Gospel, we have abundant evidence that it is the duty of the Church to support their preachers, and even to send at their expense Evangelists to other places. But our preachers, through feelings of delicacy, omit to teach the Church on this subject with that earnestness which I think they ought, lest it should be said by some that they were preaching for the fleece, and not for the flock. There are very few men who are not preachers, that are capable of speaking or writing fit for public use. Now I am no preacher, and it cannot be thought that I have any self-interest in urging this subject upon the minds of my brethren. I am cumbered about much, so that I cannot preach, but I can minister unto those who do preach, the things necessary for the support of the flesh. Our preachers are poor men, and it so turns Out that few men of property do preach; therefore those who do spend their time in this occupation must be supported by the brethren, or they will soon be compelled to quit traveling, and turn to work or some other lucrative employment to maintain themselves. Many of our most useful preachers have families, and when they were first united to their wives, they promised solemnly to support them; and besides this, the Lord has made it the duty of every man who has a: family, to provide for their wants honest in the sight of all men. We have some promising young men who would be useful in the Gospel Ministry, if the brethren would sustain and provide for them. Some of them do go and preach as long as they can get a good support, but then have to stop and turn their attention to something more profitable. Our brethren are so afraid of making their preachers rich, vain and proud, that they too much neglect them. There are two extremes in every thing.— We are so afraid of getting into sectarian systematic forcing collections, that we have gone to the other extreme. Now, we are directed in the Gospel, to lay by in store on every first day of the week. In our government real objects of charity are provided for by the laws of the land, so that the main portion of what contributions are collected in the church are applied to the support of our preaching brethren: and this circumstance cramps them, and prevents them from urging the brethren to do their duty in this respect. Paul on one occasion rejoiced greatly that the care of the brethren had flourished towards him. He says, “not that I desire a gift, but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.”Then it is for our own good, as well as. the comfort of our preachers, that we should be liberal. It seems to me that there must be some more general detailed plan or systematic arrangement for the support of our Evangelists, or we will continue on the back ground. Our foundation is good, but we lack the head, focus or leaders to carry out the plan. In the Apostles’ time on the earth, it seems to me that the disciples dwelt mostly in cities; then they could easily assemble together on every first day of the week, to break bread and deposits their contributions; but in our day, the disciples are so scattered that we cannot collect many of them on every first day. There are at this time members attached to the church at this place, who live seven or eight mile? from the meeting house. Some of us meet every first day of the week, but a larger portion of them never, appear except when they expect to see and hear a preacher; others scarcely ever come except at a big. meeting that lasts several days. In cities they can conveniently meet, but when they are much scattered they will not be punctual in their attendance. I solicit some of your editors for the periodicals to take this subject into consideration, and try to recommend some more efficient plan: for making the necessary collections, particularly in the thinly settled churches.. And I think that even in cities they need a little reusing up. I have beep frequently at the first day meetings of the brethren in a city I shall not name, and there I have seen two small bags hang one on each aide of the pulpit, to receive the contributions of the church, but these repositories seemed almost a useless form; for few, very few, went to the bags, to put in their liberality. But to the praise of the black brethren, I saw some of them drop their mites into the treasury. No preacher or any other person reminded the brethren that it was their duty and privilege, to come forward generally and put in their money. It seems to me that a preacher, if present, or for want of him, then one of the elders of the church should, in cities, (where the brethren generally collect,) call the particular attention of the brethren, at their first day meetings, to the contributions, telling them that, they know their duty and privilege. And for the churches in the country, 1 would recommend the like proceedings, at every time when there is preaching on the first day at the meeting house. I would think it a good plan for every church to appoint a committee, which might consist of the elders and deacons, to have the care of the treasury, and to make all necessary appropriations, reporting the same to the first church meeting afterwards, of each amount and what for. Many of our brethren are never told that the church needs money, and some argue that the preacher can as well afford to come and preach as they can afford to come and hear. They do not consider that the preacher loses every day, while they lose but a few days. Others contend that there is no necessity to have a preacher or evangelist to. attend to the churches, and that each church should do their own worshipping. But it appears to me to be necessary for us to have preachers to. stir us up to our duty, and to teach us more than we know. The church members are on the working day? engaged in their worldly employment, while the preacher is studying and preaching. He is therefore calculated to teach us, the common members, more perfectly the knowledge of the scriptures.. It is an old saying, that what is every body’s business is nobody’s business, and this seems to be applicable to the support of the ministers. The Gospel directs every one, as the Lord has prospered them, to. contribute, but the most of us are so constituted that we seem to want leaders to go before and give the orders, and enforce by argument, the necessity of complying with them. I am of opinion that every other society contributes more liberally to the support of their preachers than we do. The expense of this department would be but a small matter, if every member of the church would assist, but many of them never contribute any thing. We complain that it is hard times and we have nothing to spare, but I notice that any small thing that we want, that we can and do invent means to proems it. And if the support of the Gospel was heaviest on our minds, it would sink in and wake room enough; it might cause the lopping off some of our little notions of enjoyment. We spend much money for fashion, and to be seen of men in fashionable dress, equipage, furniture in our houses and fine houses themselves. Whatever is the most important on our minds, will make room for itself; like putting a stone on the top of a vessel of water, it makes the water come out. Some people solicit the preacher very strongly to come and preach for them, yet when he comes he looks to be in easy circumstances, is well dressed, and they do not enquire into his circumstances, whether he is needy or not. They do not take the thought that it is necessary for them to give him something in return. It should be kept before the minds of each member of the church, male and female, that each of them should do something, as well, as the preacher. If they cannot preach, they can assist by their labor those who do preach. We are, however, forgetful beings, and need frequent admonitions, and for this purpose I here make a few quotations, to show those who have never examined into it, that it has been God’s plan under both the law and the Gospel dispensations, that the church should contribute to the wants of those who serve them in the ministry; and also to remind those who do know it that they should be earnestly engaged in the work. For the sake of brevity, I will make each quotation as short as the nature of the design will admit. I wish the reader to turn to each passage referred to, and read the whole connection. Exodus, chapt. 28th, verses2 And thou shalt make holy garments for Aaron thy brother, for glory and for beauty. And thou shalt speak unto all that are wise-hearted, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, that they may make Aaron’s garments, to consecrate him, that he may minister unto me in the priest’s office. Numbers 18th chapt., 20th and 21st verses: And the Lord spake unto Aaron, thou shalt have no inheritance in their land, neither shalt thou have any part among them: I am thy part, and thine inheritance among the children of Israel. And behold I have given the children of Levi all the tenth in Israel for an inheritance, for their service which they serve, even the service of the tabernacle of the congregation. Deut. 10th chapt. 8th and 9th verses: At that time the Lord separated the tribe of Levi, to bear the Ark of the covenant of the Lord, to stand before the Lord to minister unto him, and to bless in his name, unto this day; wherefore Levi hath no part nor inheritance with his brethren; the Lord is his inheritance, according as the Lord thy God promised him. Deut. 18th chapt. 3d and 4th verses: And this shall be the priest’s due from the people, from them that offer a sacrifice, whether it be ox or sheep; and they shall give unto the priest the shoulder, and the two cheeks, and the mane. The first fruit alto of thy corn, of thy wine, and of thine oil, and the first of the fleece of thy sheep shalt thou give him. Deut 25th chapt., 4th verse: Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the corn. Romans 15th chapt., 27th verse: It hath pleased them verily, and their debtors they are; for if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things. I Corinthians, 9th chapt., verse 14th: Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel. 2 Corinthians, chapt. 9, verses 5 and 6: Therefore, I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your bounty whereof ye had notice before, that the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty, and pot as of covetousness. But this I say, he that soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly, and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Galatians 6th chapt. 6th verse: Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things. Philippians 4th chapt., 14th and 15th verses: Notwithstanding ye have well done that ye did communicate with my affliction. Now ye Philippians, know also that in the beginning of the Gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving but ye only. 1 Timothy, 5th chapt., 17th and 18th verses: Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially they who labor in word and doctrine. For the scripture saith, thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn, and the laborer is worthy of his reward. Hebrews 13th chapt., 7th verse: Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God, whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.
It is only required that men shall give in proportion to what the Lord has blessed them with, as you will see by reference to Luke, 21ft chapt, 2d and 3d verses: “And he looked up and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury, and he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites, and he said, of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in mere than them all.”Paul gives the manner of contributing, I Corinthians, 16th chapt., 1st and 2d verses: “Now, concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do yet upon the first day of the week, let every one of you lay by him in store, as God has prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come?’ It is unreasonable to expect a preacher to spend all or nearly so of his time in proclaiming the Gospel, and get no support from the church. It is scarcely honest, to solicit a preacher to come and preach for us, and after he comes and labors honestly, faithfully, and perhaps efficiently, to give him nothing to take in return to his family, to compensate them for his absence. JAMES YOUNG.