Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-06-19
From the New York Trnth.


satiOn Fees.
From the New York Truth.
Outside of the regular actual church services.
clergymen have to perform many duties con-
nected with the church, such, for instance, as
funeral services, <baptisms and, above all, we'd
ding ceremonies, which are supposed to be the
happiest and merriest of all. The clergymen.
however, do not always take it in this light.
Their fees are not frequently paid as soon as the
bans OF marriage have been completed, and in
very many instances where they are paid they
are considered unsatisfactory by the officiating
clergymen. Some of the cergymen attached to
hlgh-tOned churches, however, make q large
amount in the shape Of wedding fees and when
the marriage is of one situated i'm the easy DO
sitiOn of a Vanderbilt or AstOr, it is considered
quite harvest Tor Them as they do not often
get such windfall. as they term 1t. They. like
Tue sections, consider this one of the most i'm
pOrtant items of their paw
The marriage fee is. i'm most instances not
fixed one. but is left to the liberality of the par
ties. their position In life being the guiding
"star."
PROMINENT SEXTON INTERVIEWED
The writer interviewed prominent sexton of
weli-knOwn fashionable uptown Episcopalian
church on this interesting marriage fee aues-
ton. which may furnish good food for those who
are about to enter the blssful state of matri-
mony. Priests belonging to the Roman Catholic
church are not allowed to receive fees for we'd
digs, but they receive money. however, by way
of benetitinG the church, and when personal SER
vices are required of Cardinal McCloskey or
Archbishop COrrigan, the amount presented is
generally liberal outside of the expenses attend
ing the Organist's sections fees On such
occasions as these the sum of $500 is not con-
sidered very stiff price, and by some quite
boast is made about the sum paid the clergy
man for performing the nuptials The ordinary
fees paid in the Protestant and PRESBYTERIAN
churches average $40 to $50, and in some in
stances go as high as 500 with well-to-dO peo-
pie. But then in the poorer parishes on the
west and east sides the amount dwindles down
to 50 to 81 and even 50. With the average
midde-ciass Catholics the fee paid is generally
$40 to go. Ordinary mechanics pay SIS for the
ceremony performed 1t frequently happens,
however, when it is known that the parties are
in poor circumstances that the clergyman does
not accept any fee whatever.
"What is the usual system of paving the fee
among the heightened ciass?''
well, it often happens that the sexton has a
check given him made payable to the clergy
man, so that in reality no cash transaction takes
place between them"
SPURIOUS CHECKS.
'Of course, you have never heard of any check
being returned dishOnOredi'
"Well, / should smile If have not. Why, l
know Of plenty of such cases, and by parties
who were supposed to be well connected and
dressed as if in good circumstances. When the
check Is presented it happens that the BRIDE
groom has drawn nearly all of his money from
the bank or that it is returned with the indorse-
ment No account This system of paying is
often carried on In what are called runaway or
orrin hI1& ,nka
The knot has been tied. and he can not undo it.
though the check should prove worthless.
lone clergyman states that in the course Of
ten years ministratiOn he has been called upon
to marry from ninety to one hundred couples
In numerous instances the parties never gave
him or the church cent, even though they
came to the church doors in carriages, with
silks and satins and fine broadcloth."
How are the Hebrews on paying the rabbi?
81 understand they are very liberal, partic-
ulariy II the parties are in good circumstances.
The rabbis get from $40 to $500 for their SER
vices.
1.-The fees are considered to be higher at such
churches as Trinity. Grace. st. Thomas and
many of the like standard. The clergyman con-
siders these small perquistes. and either gives
them to his wife as pin money or provides for
himself a handsome library by degrees.
Many curious stories are related in the way
of how clergymen of all denominations are
duped or not paid fee at ALL and perhaps no
DR.. HOughtOn, the genial and obliging clergy
man of the Little Church Around the Corner"
'HOw much does the sexton expect to re-
ceive!" was asked.
WHAT THE SEXTON EXPECTS.
"All depends on the church he is attached to-
As rule, the more fashionable the church the
higher the amount paid is expected to be. Some
of them make good round sum, and it is init
mated that in some cases where the clergyman's
fee Is handed to the sexton by the bridegroom
he does not always hand over the actual tips
In this way he secures double fee. In such
churches as Trinity, DR.. Halls and the like, the
sexton expects from $40 to $50 as his fee tor
opening the church and cleaning it up after
ward. Then there are what are termed Incl
dental expenses, such as the orgauist, assistant
ushers. and gas bills, which easily run up an
account of from $40 to $50 outside OF the cler-
gyman's fee"
ton has TO be obtained from the bishop or
cardinal. In these cases fee of $40 or there
abOuts is always demanded as ''dispensation
fee"
Sometimes the mayor is requested to receive
fee from the intermarrying parties. When
Mayor A. Oakley Hall was in Office he used to
maud the amount over to the boys in the Office
NJ it is said that eXMayOr Havemeyer used to
pocket the amount so that his clerks should not
get exhilarated over the event, and very fire.
quently he would steal a kiss from young
bride. Mayor Edison does not receive any tee
but fee is paid to the clerks for making out
the marriage certificates. This is divided
among them for lunch and cigars. Therefore
these ceremonies are never Objectionable. Mayor
Edison performs his duty with becoming and
serious dignity, but has not yet been known to
touch the lips Of any fair young bride or maid
who has appeared before him to have the mar
rage ceremony performed.
The Voice OF Nature.
The rich mans portal may be closed to thee: