Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-04-21
DIR. COLLYER ATHOME
A Chat in His Study With the
Famous Unitarian Divine.
A PICTURE BEYOND ALL PRICE.
His Views on Prohibition and the Use
Of Tobacco.
THE BALLOT AND PULPIT FOR WOMEN
WRITTEN FOR THE DISPATCH !

1t was fair morning, neither cloud nor
mist shaded theclesr sapphire of the sky as,
in response to hearty, resonant "Come in, %
opened the door Of the Rev. Robert Coll
yer's study. was greeted by food of
sunshine which, streaming in through the
broad east windows, was in perfect harmony
with the radiant face Of the white-haired
man who was seated before the wide library
table. Even those men who are the world s
wealth, in that they are original men, not
so much, perhaps, as others, but still to a
great degree, are dependent for their best
revealment on environing conditions And
charming, with strong winsomeness, as
is the famous Unitarian divine at all times,
it is in his study, surrounded by his books
and the particular personal belongings OF
his life and work, that his many-sidej char
acter finds its best and most complete re-
vealment
At once somber and bright, DR.. Collyer's
study, which is in the Holland building, on
the corner of Broadway and Fortieth street,
seems to belong to him as does the shell to
the turtles back. Above and between the
books which line the walls are pictures,
valued for their association rather than as
decorations. The only portrait in the room
is fine oil painting of the late Hon. Charles
Sumner, who was great admirer of DR..
Collyer and warm personal friend. do
not know that 1 am quite right in speaking
of this as the only portrait in DR.. Collyer's
study, for, with a merry twinkle in his eye,
he called my attention to the picture of one
Nancy, who, he said had been very highly
regarded by himself and family.
NANcY's PICTURE.
The picture Of Nancy was that of large
spotted COW. This COW, while they still
lived in their old home at Ilkley, England,
DR.. Collyer's family had raised by hand
from tiny calf and they were all greatly
attached to her. A friend had this paint
ing made and sent 1t to DR.. Collyer. 1t was
detained in the Custom House, and when
the authorities wrote him asking at what
price he valued the picture, he responded
that he valued it beyond all price, as the
original had been greatly priced by himself
and family for her many virtues, among
which was the quantity and quality OF her
milk and her affectionate gentleness. Where
upon the officers of customs forwarded the
painting free of duty, and it now occupies a
place over one of the large windows in his
| study.
Among the fine old engravings of rare
bits of wild Yorkshire scenery about the
study walls, most of which were made early
in 100, is one of mighty rock which DR..
| Collyer says is taller than a church spire
is high," and upon which are plainly limned
the huge features of giant man, which fact
has only recently been discovered. "Just
think, said the Doctor, 81 played about
face up there all the while, and it had beer
watching the coming and the going of the
ages all along and no one knew anything
about it."
DIR. CoLLYER'S ANVIL.
In looking about 1 missed the old anvil
which had been familiar feature of DR.
Collyer's study in Unity Church in Chi
cago. This anvil has had quite history
and been something of traveller. Wher
the blacksmith shop in which DR.. Collyel
had worked at his trade was SOLD, one of the
members of his congregation purchased thu
anvil and placed it in his study. After the
great fire the anvil was found In the debris
of the burned church, and in response to 8
request from the Young Mems Unitarian
| Society of Boston, was sent on to them
When, however, Unity Church was rebuilt
the trustees claimed the anvil and it was re
turned to them. 1t is now fixture in the
study there, and is highly valued souvenir
of the Doctor, who devoted the best years Of
his mature manhood to upbuilding, from thu
small beginning of little mission, Unity
Church, which is one of the richest and mos
prosperous Unitarian Churches in America
Speaking of his anvil led DR.. Collyer to
express himself in regard to his coming t.
New York. ST never regretted cominI
here, he said. ITO be sure, we had struck
deep root in Chicago, and many tender tie.
were severed when we came away, but i
was best, not only for me, but for the churcl
there, and 1 am pleased to believe tn,
church here also." Then, with a pleasan
glow of satisfaction lighting up his face, b,
continued, "My church here is growinI
more and more like big prosperous fami
ly. We are all fond of each other and vi
work together in very nice sort Of fash
ion. There is one thing we have done tha
I am a bit proud OF, and you may put i
down if you like, and that is our home 70
poor little children next door to St. George
Church, on Stuyvesant Square" And thel
an indescribable sadness settled over his fin
mobile features as he continued, '"This worl
is under the especial patronage of the Ken.
nicott Club, society of young ,womel
named for our dear daughter Annie, VIII
made this mission her especial work. Tn
last thing she did in this world was to at
tend to some affairs pertaining to it." Tn
loss of this daughter is the heavy sadnes
which shadows DIR. Collver's life.
After a moment the humorous brightness
which is like touch of sun glow, cam
into his face and he said: "Don't put dow
that do any of the work, for don't.
just preach about it and the rest do tn
practicing, but we are getting on very pros
perously and are now looking toward
home of our own for our children"
HIS BELIEF IN WOMAN SUFFRAGE.
Knowing that some years ago DIR. Collye
was gallant advocate of equal suffrage,
was curious as to whether or not he hat
changed his views on this much-mootet
question. When asked him in regard t
the matter he became grave, and drawing
down his brows in perplexed fashion, b
said, "I think we grow bit more conserva
tive as we grow older. used to be quit
positive and sure that it would be the bes
thing that women should vote as men dc
but feel little troubled about it nov
Still, am really inclined to think that
would be safe venture. One thing is sure
whatever woman can do, she does bette
than man can do it. That myth in tn
Talmud in regard to the creation of maj
and woman has within it fine truth, as, in
deed, most myths have. 1t reads that ma
was first created to go on all fours, the
woman was created erect and she made hin
get up and stand and walk erect also. Yes
taking all things into account, think t
give women the suffrage would be saf
venture"
And what is your opinion of women a.
preachers asked. "My opinion is this,
said DR.. Collyer, quickly and earnestly
every woman who is called to preach ough
to preach, Just as a man ought to who feel