The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-10-28
Clerical Returns for Courtesy.

CIerICal lteGuEuS AOE OOuILOSys
The Rev. DR.. Newton, in his services yester-
day morning, gave notice of an intended as
semblage of the clergy of the Episcopal Church
on some business, which was to take place in
our city in the course of week or so, and,
after commencing the hospitality evinoed by
his congregation, urged upon them the neces-
sity Of a display of extraordinary courtesy,
because of false impression which had gone
abroad. He stated that, in looking over num-
Der of letters from olergymen from other towns
orcities, who intended to present, he came across
several which read somewhat in this way:
"You will get me rooms at private boarding
house, where my expenses will be paid, rather
than in private family, as, from what learn
of your citizens, / do not desire to be exposed
to their inhospitality by being entertained at
their residences" This is the exact substance
of the letter, although we have not the words.
The Rev. Doctor then urged upon his people ex-
cessive care in conduct, and expressed sur
prise at the existence of so false impression.
We do not know what was the effect on the
congregation of the reading of this letter,
but we know that the natural and, we may
say, the proper effect of it would be to lead
them to recall their courtesy, shut their doors
on all they had invited, and let the gentlemen
find rooms at private boarding houses, at their
oOn expense. If this was the first time we
had heard of such a letter, we might
pass it by as exceptional, but wher-
ever there has been any general meeting of
clergy in our city we have heard of some such
correspondence. 1t seems to be of no account
as TO what is the denomination of the assem-
blage, we always see one or more such insult
| ing requests. 1t seems to us quite time that
the gentlemen who thus fastidiously direct
that they shall not be quartered in private
families should have the matter placed
before them in its true light. They
have long enough received as a right what
can only be asked for as a favor, and
a very great favor. Whenever we have such
a meeting as the one in view, the delegates
from abroad are always supported during
their continuance in our city by private hos
pitality. Nor are these demands infrequent.
Hardly year passes without some such call
being made upon the religious part of the
community, and it is never made in
vain. When the courtesy is extended to gentle
men, who come as guests, act like well-bred
| persons, and behave as though they had some
sort of appreciation of the amenities of life,
their presence is doubtless a pleasure. To
them no remarks which we may make apply.
They are welcome, and no obligation is con-
ferred which they do not reciprocate by their
presence and behavior But when, as it too
often happens, a hospitable family is imposed
| upon, and have to entertain those who not
only do not appreciate their kindness,
but are vindictive, and reward their
courtesy by traducing our city and
asking to be placed in private boarding houses,
'chere their expenses ,OiH be paid, we think a
sublimity of impudence is reached. Why, if
the reception given is so disagreeable, do not
these ohurchmen 60 to private boarding
houses, and pay their own board We do not
see why they should be exempted from the
obligation to pay for what they get, any
more than any of the rest of us. If any
other set of private individuals go as dele
gates to convention, or meeting, or any
thing which calls for their presence away from
nome, they dc not expect to have their bills
PAID Tor them; and we really do not see why a
clergyman or layman-for both expect the
same accommodation when they go anywhere
OAnnot pay for themselves. We think IL time
Sn@s the Whole system should be broken up.
~ S useless to reply with the quotation OF
what our Lord said to His Disciples
about taking no food for their iournav THAT
was applied to the Apostles. who nur,,,srod
twelve, and certainly did not mean to ba Az
4 49, uryanwr L