The Washington critic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1885-1888, 1885-10-19
II. SYLVESTER, Editor.
WASHINGTON, d. G., OCT. 10, 1885
AN ARCuDEACoN AMONG Us.

Canon Farrar could not have been
heard to better advantage than in
Washington. Audiences cultured, in.
telligent and thoughtful have greeted
him, and his themes have been those
best suited to his powers.
No tribute to Canon Farrars sound.
ness or earncstness as u thinker and
teacher is necessary To say that he
has talked to attentive listeners is to say
that he has left u deep impression, sowu
much good seed and left behind him
many treasured thoughts.
His visit will long be remembered,
and his own verdict, that he has
spoken "the plainest truths of God in
the simplest speech of man., will be
accepted as the highest tribute that he
desires or deserves. Canon Farrar has
both lccturcd and preached among us.
His lectures were sermons and his SER
mon was a lecture.
In the works of two great poets as
much as in the words of the Savior of
mankind, he reverently sought and
pointed ont their religious teachings
with a master hand. None of Canon
FaTars hearers will ever turn to the
chapter from which he took his text or
the poets to whom he rendered tribute
without a conception more complete
and an appreciation more intense for
having heard his earnest words. Those
who cherish what he has left behind
him cannot fail to experience keen
regret that his work was marrcd by
display of tact and taste so much less
perfect than his thought.
He was guilty both on the lecture
platform and in the pulpit of some
errors of taste that built up barriers
between himself and his hearers full
sympathy which he had trouble in beat.
ing down again.
In his Browning lecture he gave his
hearers to understand that the tribute
which an American poet had rendered
to Robert Browning, should give them
an appreciation of the bard which they
could not otherwise be expected to
have.
Again he insinuated that he did not
expect anywhere else in young and
uncultured country to find an audience
that he could interest in poetry such as
Browning's. Again he paused, after
using Latin quotation, to say that he
would not translate it because he had
been informed that his audiences were
familiar with the classics.
1t can scarcely be questioned that
these three remarks made it the more
difficult for Canon Farrar to gain the
full sympathy of his hearers. An
American audience has too much self
conceit to wish to be told that it looks
to American literature to tell it what
10 admire in English literature. A
Washington audience has too little self
conceit to wish to be told that other
cities have not thought or culture
enough to properly appreciate poet
An average American citizen would
leave it to Canon Farrar' taste whether
he should use a Latin or an English
phrase and to his discretion whether he
would or would not translate Latin
phrase when used, but such hearer
objects to being patted on the back
with the assumption that he under
stands such phrase. If he does un-
derstand it he does not care whether
if he does not he does not like to be so
plainly told that he should.
In Canon Farrar's admirable sermon
there was also an error of taste more
painful than any of these. His audi.
ence was gathered from many parishes
and many denominations. Many of
his hearers were earnest and thought
full churchmen, who came to hear Il
profound and sound theologian on
questions to which their own most stu
dious thought had been given. Many
missed the service of their own
churches and the words of their own
rectors for the purpose of availing
themselves of an opportunity of hearing
a man to whose breadth of thought and
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hemispheres gave tribute. This audi
ence was very complimentary to the
Canon, and had right to be appreci-
ated. He could have better appealed
10 the best element of his audience by
addressing himself to it. When he ad-
dressed the sight-seekers and cynics
and critics 1t is doubtful whether his
rebuke benefited them, and it could
not but repel those who had not come
TO see his gown or cnticise his man
nerisms. The good Canon could have
afforded to overlook the fact that
any came because it was popular or
fashionable, or to see him as they
would show. 1t would have been in
better taste to have done so. lie could
not afford to throw such an imputation
upon those who were sincere, Those
who had come to listen and to learn
were ready to forget in his earnest
words all about his personality, and TO
be oblivious of a less earnest and less
worthy element in his audience, The
Canon might have done SO too, and by
SO doing have done more for all who
heard him.
HENDRICKS AND REFORM.
Vice-President Hendricks while in st,
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