The Portland daily press., 1878-11-21
lR. W. Dale, in Nineteenth CenturyJ
New England Clergymen and Their
Position

In New England the social position of tb.
clergy in the last century was, no doubt, vsry
high, and their influence on public affairs extra
ordinarily powerful The Congregat ational par.
ish minister was generally very dignifed
parsonage; his cooked hat, white wig. black
coat and black breeches, knee-buckles and shoe.
buckles impressed the popular Imagination
with the idea of his Importance. He was usu-
ally the best educated man in his parish and
be was the centre of all its intellectual! activity
ne was also the natural leader of the people in
all social and political movements. Almost to
a man the Congregational Pastors of Connect-
cut were vehemently on the side of the Colon
lists in their struggle with the English Crows:
and believe that as much might be said for
tne congregational ministers in the other New
England States. Some of them went as Chap
iains with the army. Those who remained at
nome Kept up the fires of patriotism in their
parishes, and helped to sustain the courage and
fortitode OF the people throughout the conflict.
Their public infieunce was enormous. But the
social position Of the clergy of New England is
still very high. In the absence of an hered-
tary aIistocracy, professional men of all kinds
receive consideration which is not conceded
to them in an aristocratic country; and of this
consideration the New England clergy have
their full SHARE Sometimes thought 1 saw
among eminent physicians the indications Of q
certain arlstocratic sentiment; sometimes l
thought saw similar indications among INV
more distinguished clerical friends. / am not
. very good judge in such matters. I do not
know how the gentlemen in the MARQUIS of
B-'s billiard room talk about the iron-mas-
ter who has recently bought an estate in the
county, or how the ladies in the Marchiouess's
drawing room talk about his wife and daugb-
tiers. l do not imagine that, If these noble
people are really well bred. there is any con-
tempt for their neighbors who have somehow
managed to get born without having
grandfathers. There may even be cordial
respect for man whose vigor and ability
have enabled him to accumulate a
great fortune, especially If he is modest,
and uses his money generously; but people who
are happy enough to have ancestors must neces-
sarily regard themselves as more fortunate than
the people who have none. "More Fortunate"
say for it is clear that they have copsidera-
BILE start in the development of the species.
Occasionally thought saw some slight signs
Of q similar self-complacency, but resting on
other grounds, among professional men in
America; they seemed to assume that they
were at tine summit Of the social hierarchy; and
also thought that the assumption was al
lowed. great manufacturer or merchant
took equal rank with them, just as l believe
though l DO not know-that great banker or
great brewer may ba admitted into our own
''earthly paradise" But still L thought
that the professional man regarded themselves
as the elect race, the true children of Abraham
and the true heirs of the promise. To an Eag-
lish Nonconformst minister all this was very
cnrinus