Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 34, Number 61, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 April 1902 — Rev. Dr. Utter's Sound Views. [ARTICLE]

Rev. Dr. Utter's Sound Views.

Mr. Editor:— Among the news items in your paper of 'the 25th inst. is this: “The Laporte Ministerial Association has resolved not to conduct funeral services over the remains of any person not a member of ohuroh without a compensation of five dollars.” The thing I wish to say, is: Any miniate! of the gospel who can refuse to conduct funeral services over the remains of the most graceless wretch that ever breathed the breath of life, exoept for a price, is a long way off his ministers! track. Were Ir to express my opinion of such a man freely, I should certainly say something unparliamentary. The resolution looks ugly.—There are few ministers of much experience, however who have not been the occasional victims of gross imposition; as, for instance, when well-to-do people, who have no use for the ohurch or its ministry, exoept when they oome to die, oall a minister to oonduot funeral services, taxing his time and energies, and putting him to considerable expense, it may be, for livery hire or car fare, but never think of paying his expenses or thanking him for services rendered. The resolution may have been intended as a kick at such illiberal or stupid characters, but it is not sufficiently epeoifio to be effective. The kick is too general to reach its proper destination. * R. D. Utter. South Bend, Mar. 27. J ust received oar bran or fine midling. Order at once. Oox & Branch.