The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-02-07
"HoLY CROSS. HUNTINGTON.
A Handsome Protestant Monk Who Spends
Most of His Time in PRAYER.

handsome Protestant Monk Who Spends
Most of His Time in Prayer.
New York Correspondence Pittsbure Dispatch.
The young man in whom fashionable New
Workers.. especially women, are interested is the
Rev James 0. s. Huntington, the frstof Epis-
copal monks-and the last too, judging from the
opposing commotion which his course has raised
His person. his habits, his dwellng-all are OBJ
jects of curious regard, and there is disposition
to exploit him. His place of cloister at present
is dingy house in brick row on Fourth street.
between First and Second avenues, which is
situation in the midst of the densest East
side cfowding and irreligion. The building
looks as though it had been occupied by careless
tenants at low rental for generation. All
that distinguishes the residence of the embryo
Order of the Holy Cross from the tenements on
either side is silver door plate bearing a cross
IN lntaglio and the words Holy Cross" in black.
Tie balustrade of the steps is rickety. The
visitor is not stimulated to either secular cheer
fulness 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 q young man over six feet tall,
straight and athletic clothed in a coarse black
garment which falls in loose folds to his feet,
and is girded at the waist by worsted rope
passed three times round.
About MS neck is black cord, from which
swings an ebony cruciix. II the 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 ges-
ture after the manner of q man of business
Brother Huntington takes a chair at the end of
table and looks me squhrely and fairly in the
eyes, inquiringly. 1t is impossible to Danish the
thought that his garb and his face are ncongru-
Gus. The one is anciently monastic, while the
other would go we'll with modern dress suit in
a giddy assemblage. His is the countenance of a
man who knows the world, and it might belong
to cultivated gentleman in any of the intel
lectual professions. but it does not sug-
I'M
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 he try to establish confess
sional, the women would be likely to give up TO
him their sentimental secrets A beretta, exact
y like that which Roman Catholic priests wear
rests lightly on his brown, closely-cropped hair.
Brother Huntington argued to me that his
vows. though unique in Episcopalianism, and
not specifically authorized by the canons were
neither forbidden nor improper. He laughed at
the notion of a monastery; and yet glance
round the room with its bare floor. plain furni
ture, walls shelved for theological books, and a
crucifix over the mante revealed an essentially
monkish atmosphere To these rigors he had
come from a 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 it will be no more strange
than the habit of the Protestant Episcopal Sis
terhood already in existence My daily routine9
Much of my time is spent in prayer At the
services in the chapel candles are burned and in
cense is offered On my 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 a popular clergy
man that life of celibacy is enervating. / do
not think the gentleman l refer to ever rose to
his full height and sweled his brawny chest or
he would scarcely have said that would like
to see whether he or l would run ten miles the
quicker have already spent two years In the
noviciate"
have thought it worth while to give so much
space to Huntington, because his case has at
tracted wide attention, regiously and socially,
and it may be that his example of whole devo-
ton to church purposes-hitherto unknown in
Professionalism, at least under life vows of bach
elorhood-is going to be extensively followed.