BOARD OF MINISTERIAL RELIEF, pp. 247-257.
• "Report of the Board" by A. L. Orcutt, pp. 247-248.
• "Ministerial Relief Essential to New Testament Christianity" by Mark Collis, pp. 248-251.
• "Ministering to Those Who Minister" by G. B. Van Arsdall, pp. 251-254.
• "Unrequited Knighthood of the Nineteenth Century" by Howard T. Cree, pp. 254-257.

      The Board of Ministerial Relief was organized at our National Convention at Dallas, Tex., October, 1895, primarily as an agency through which all the churches might unite in the care and support of our worthy, aged, dependent ministers, their wives and widows. The inauguration of this work among us was the outgrowth of a necessity that laid itself lovingly upon the hearts of some of our leaders. Later it became a conviction that we had been neglecting one of the essential features of the Restoration movement. It is certainly to have its place in the church among the things divinely ordained.

      The fourteenth annual report made at the Centennial Convention, Pittsburg, 1909, while showing receipts inadequate to the demands of the work, is the most encouraging yet presented to the brotherhood. The receipt of $12,942.87 to the general fund is the largest in the history of the work. This is the every-day working fund from which the old preachers receive support and the expense of administration is paid. The fund is supported by the freewill offerings of the churches, individuals and organizations within the church. The above sum represents the contributions of twenty-eight States. The number of names on our annuitant list is seventy-three, and, while the average amount paid them is only $106.51, it is the largest in any year since the work began. The permanent fund is the loan or interest-bearing fund, to which $27,259.32 in cash has been received. This fund is loaned on first mortgage security. The interest only is used. The fund is made up of the annuities and the larger gifts coming direct or as legacies. In fourteen years this fund has not lost a penny either in principal or interest.

      The board also owns the "Scott Home for Aged Ministers of the Christian Church" at Alexandria, Ind., the gift of that noble mother in Israel, Mrs. D. M. Scott. The home is a large, ten-room house, splendidly located on a sixteen-acre tract of land, on which is also a large barn, an old orchard and many beautiful shade trees. A stream of

A. L. ORCUTT.

living water flows just across the corner of the tract. There is a splendid home in the midst of surroundings most beautiful. In this gift this good woman still lives and continues to hold out her helping hands. Here the light of her beautiful life continues to shine. At present the home is occupied by Elder Joseph Franklin, long a faithful, efficient, devoted minister of the gospel.

      The support of this work is no less the responsibility of the church than other obligations our Lord has laid upon his people. The same authority that ordained the ministry ordained its support, and not only on the ground of divine authority, but on the universal principle that honest labor is entitled to adequate support, "the laborer is worthy of his meat." It is therefore the payment of a just debt, and involves the integrity of the church as [247] the body of Christ. And so, if there can be reason for the neglect of any duty devolving upon the church, it can not be the payment of this debt. The subjects of this ministry answered the call of God to a service at a time and under circumstances when only men of faith and heroism, inured to hardship and willing to sacrifice, were capable. Half-hearted, undecided, compromising men fell by the way, but these heroes of many hard-fought battles, and the brave, good women who held up their hands unto victory, are worthy to be remembered, respected and supported as "The Old Guard." And while they patiently wait the coming of their Lord, they ought to have every consideration and assurance of appreciation from those who have entered into their labors. Three things are involved in this Ministerial Relief work; viz.: the will of God as revealed in his word, the need of these old soldier-saints, and the honor of the church of Christ. It is worth while to consider Ministerial Relief.

[CCR 247-248]