Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-02-15
AN EPISCOPAL MONK.
The Life of the Rev. Mr.. Huntington,
the First EpiseOp al MoDastic.

The young man il whom fashionable
New York, especially women, are just
now most deeply interested, writes a
New York city Correspondent to the Al
bany journal, is the Rev. James o. S.
Huntington, the first OF Episco pal monks,
and the last, too, judging by the opposing
cOmmotiOn which his course has raised.
His person, his habits. his dwelling are
all objects of curious regard, and there is
a disposition toeXploIt him. His place of
clOister at present Is a dingy house in
brick row on Fourth street. between First
and Second avenues, which is a situation
in the midst of the densest East-side
crowding and irreligion. The building
looks as though II had been occupied by
careless tenants at a low rental for gen.
Grafton. All that distinguishes the resi-
dence OF the embryo order of the Holy
Cross from the tenements on either side
is a silver dOOr-plate, bearing a cross in
intaglio and the words holy Cross" in
black. The balustrade of tue steps is
ricketv. The visitor is not stimulated to
either secular cheerfulness or religious
awe as he mounts TO call on the son of
Bishop suddenly distinguished by his
vows of poverty and wIfelessness. The
door is opened by young man, over
feet tall, straight ana athletic, clothed
in a coarse black garment, which falls in
waist by a wOrsted rope passed three
times round. About his neck is a black
cord, from which swings an ebony cruel
fix. II am Rev. Mr.. huntington" he
says, in reply to an inquiry, and with
long strides leads the way through halls
and upstairs to his room. Bidding me to
sit, in briefly polite words, accompanied
by quick gueSture, after the manner of
a man of business, Brother Huntington
70 he a n nl of no of fsah nd
looks me squarely and fairly in the eyes
inqulringly. 1t iS impossible to Danish
the thought that his garb and his face are
homogeneous. The one is auciently mon
astic, while the other would 20 well with
a modern dress suit in a giddy assem-
blage. His is the COuntenance of a man
who knows the world, and it might be-
long to a cultivated gentleman in any of
the intellectual professions, but 1t does
not suggest asceticism. The bellies will
not stop calling him handsome fellow.
His forehead is broad and high, his eyes
large and blue, and the lower face is full,
with generous lips. do not think that,
should ne try to establish a confessional,
the women would be likely to give up to
him their sentimental secrets. A beretta,
exactly like that which Roman Catholic
priests wear, rests lightly on his brown,
clOsely-erOpped hair.
Brother Huntington argued to me that
his vows, though UNIQUE in EpiscOpalian-
ism, and not specifically authorized by the
canon, were neither forbidden nor i'm
proper. He laughed at the notion of a
monastery; and yet a glance round the
room, with its bare floor, plain furniture,
walls shelved for theological books, and
a crucifiX over the mantel, revealed an
essentially mOnkish atmosphere. To
these rigOrs he had come from q life of
great luxury. He is bound to live on
$500 per year altogether. las TO the gown
| wear" he added, ''when the novelty has
worn away IL will be no more strange
than the habit of the Protestant Episcopal
sisterhOod already in existence. My daily
routine? Much of my time is spent in
prayer. At the services in the chapel cam
dies are burned and incense is offered
On nv way to visit the sick, boys have
cast stones at me. Many idly follow me.
What has panied me most in the way Of
criticism was the remark by popular
clergyman that a life like this was ener-
waiting. do not think the gentleman re-
flected cerefully," and Mr. Huntington
arose to his full height and sweled his
brawny chest, cor he would scarcely have
said that. | would like to see whether h.
or | could run ten miles the quicker. l
have already spent two years in the nOvi-
tiate" have thou ght it worth while TO
give so much space to Huntington be-
cause his case has attracted wide atten-
ton, religiously and socially, and it may
be that his example of whole devotion to
church purposes-hithertO unknown in
Professionalism, at least under life vows of
bachelorhOod-is going to he extensively
followed.