are given when it is consistent, and
when there is nothing else of greater
importance on that day. But if the
president of the conference, or some
other minister, comes to the church
on that day, with something definite
that he wishes to present to the
church, it is proper to set the read-
ings aside, and attend to the business
he is there for. In such a case, he
may advise the brethren to take up
the reading at the prayer meeting, or
the next Sabbath, if there is no min-
ister there.
82. Under what circumstances
should ministers collect tithe? When
it becomes necessary for a minister to
accept tithe or donations, what should
he do with it? :
A minister should not collect tithe
or donations, except under very spe-
cial circumstances. For instance,
when a minister visits an isolated fam-
ily, where the members are not in
touch with the church or conference
treasurer. Or, it may be that on his
visits among the regular churches, he
may meet individuals, who, for some
reason, refuse to pay their tithe to
the church treasurer. Under such
circumstances, a minister has the
right to accept it. He should, how-
ever, give his personal receipt to the
person who gives him the tithe or
donation, and then turn the money
over to the proper treasurer, with the
request that he send a receipt to the
individual.
33. A church officer instructed peo-
ple to pay tithe on their income, after
paying living expenses, rent, etc. Ac-
cording to Genesis 28: 22, should we
pay tithe on our increase, or should
we pay grocery bills, rent, etc., and
then pay tithe on what is left?
It is perfectly plain that the tithe
is a tithe of that which God gives us,
and not on what we have left after
taking care of ourselves. - For in-
stance, if a minister receives fifteen
dollars a week salary, his tithe should
be one-tenth of the full amount, or
$1.50.
ATLANTIC UNION GLEANER
34. Is there a possibility of min-
isters becoming a burden to poor
people, whose hospitality they share
while holding meetings?
I think there is, and I believe our
ministers should watch that very
carefully. I believe that first of all,
we should encourage hospitality in
families, in churches, and in confer-
ences; but on the other hand, as a
minister goes about from church to
church, he should be very careful not
to place a burden upon people that
are not able to bear it. And there is
a way to do that without giving of-
fense, or breaking down the idea of
hospitality. I would not suggest that
a minister “settle up” when he is
ready to go, but by a little observa-
tion he will discover certain little
things that are needed in the family-
shoes for the children, or perhaps
their church-school bill, etc,, and he
can slip the amount into their hands
as a present,
35. What would you say about the
names of other denominations being
mentioned by a preacher during his
sermon ?
I think we should use great care,
and be very courteous, always, in
mentioning the names of other de-
nominations; and as a rule, avoid it.
36. What are the duties of a city
pastor?
The duties of a city pastor depend
very largely upon conditions. In a
church having a very large member-
ship a pastor’s duties would be quite
different than in a smaller church.
But in general, the first duty of a city
pastor would be to work in behalf of
the church of which he is pastor, in-
structing the members, building the
church up in the truth and making it
strong, leading it in missionary en-
deavor, so it will become a strong fac-
tor: in the city for the dissemination
of the truth, He should also carry on
a strong, aggressive series of tent
meetings in the city where he is lo-
cated. On the whole, he should be a
live wire in the city, ever active, and
157
having fruit to present to the confer-
ence each year as the result of his
work.
37. Should young ministers just
starting out, give too much advice to
old, experienced ministers as to how
the work should be carried on?
I think they should be very modest
in advising their superiors. If they
see what they believe to be a better
way, they should go to work with their
whole heart, and demonstrate it, and
let the older ministers take a lesson
from observation.
38. Should conference workers re-
tain for personal use the profits from
the sale of books when given a per-
centage from the tract society?
I think they should; and let that
profit help them to meet the loss they
sustain in giving away literature, as
they find themselves almost forced
to do.
89. Should the subject of health
reform and dress reform always be
taught to those accepting the truth?
Is it a part of the message?
True health reform and true dress
reform are patts of the message, and
should be taught, in the proper way,
of course, as we give the message.
Health reform should not be pre-
sented as a matter of prohibition, but
rather from the standpoint of the
benefits derived from it, longer life,
etc. People will then take hold of
these principles because they see
something good and inviting in them,
In the matter of dress reform, the
leaving off of ornaments, etc., we
should study to present it in a man-
ner that will be attractive. We can
show the people what it is to adorn
the mind with the knowledge of God,
through his word ; what it is to devote
our lives to the service of God, and
the money that is placed in our hands,
to the salvation of lost souls, instead
of buying adornments for the body.
We should work along practical lines,
illustrating the evils of one side, and
the blessings of the other. When
presented in this way, the people