New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-10-21
A CHURCH SYMPOSIUM.
PROBLEMS AS THEY ARE SEEN AMIDST
CIGAR SMOKE.
(Dramaiis PersOnas


the Church
from TIE Diocese Of Via Media, who glories in tho
fact that he is an ecclesiastical Bourbon.
The Rev. Father Anaclcms Benson, Of the Ordep
Of Holy Contemplation, Father Confessor OF the n
fraternity Of Intense Young Catholics. and Cleflcai
Deputy from the Diocese Of Tiadltio; wearing tho
habit OF LIS oVler cassock with large cruchX 'u'-
pended from The girtle. ,,,oo...
Mr. Ernest lielPcr Lay Delegate from The Dioce
solved The problem " How to BE- religious though rich
MI LtprSie Churchmqn Lay Deputy rom rb eo
all " sccts F" are an abominauon. -
Mr. Gettherc Rghtaway. a Lay Deputy from the
Ifocese 81 WoollvWcst who Is disposed 70 regard a.
herctical al! churchman who ar not huSters In INC
oolyWest meaning Of that expressive word. A.
Memorial Building OF ST. Georges Church set apart
for tho deputies Of the Episcopal General Convention
in which to talk and smoke during the recessJ
Ncwlght-Gcntlemen. while we are enjoying our
postuncheon cigars. I suggest that constitute
ourselves high synod, having seats but votes, and
such settle some Of the burning questions that
won't come before the General Convention.
Several voice,-Hear! Hear!
Churchman-Just as though the General Conven-
ton would leave any burning questions unsettled
Newght-That's all right, but we know it does
leave some burning questions alone. until they be-
como little cool, in order that it may handle them
moro comfortably.
TRAINING FOR THE MINISTRY.
Oldway-Tcason in the camp But let US nave
OF your questions
Ncwlght-The training OF the ministry.
Hclper-Wc. what is the matter with 1T
Newlght-Too much theology and too little science
too much cloiste meditation and too little praciicaI
knowledge Of the world much attention paid to the
thoughts and questions Of the past and too little To the
thoughts and questions OF the present especially the
great field Of modern science have tried to put 1t
concisey and clearly.
hot by
TO make many Of the young entirely over that
are sent to us from your Eastern theological semi
narcs. And 1t generally takes about three yca;s 10
do it-just the period thew spend in the seminary
some of them, however can't be made over They
preach thoughts that foreign TO our life, In
a language that We Go not understand When come
across such men. always want TO send them back TO
the East labelled: Ruined by too much seminary"
Q-aughter.)
Father Bcnson-I don't think that the fault is too
much, but too little, seminary.
New1ight-You are right. would like TO see some
clorgymen 60 back 10 the seminary for torn Of
years and think the whole matter over then perhaps
they wouldn't come out at all.
Father Benson Contcmplalive orders ought TO be
established for such cases.
Ncwlight-Ycs some Of the brethren, good and we'll
meaning they are. ought TO have contemplated the
ministry long time before entering It, BY all means
let have place where they may do their con-
tcmplatinG.
Oldway-owng to their lack Of worldly experience
many Of the clergy afflicted with timdity, and
fail
Newlight-Ycs and many Of us also are afflicted with
humidity. QauglterJ l l know. for five years
after I left the seminary. / thought the Church was
going 10 the bow-wows because my sermons modelled
the pondcUus essays Of the schOoimen, didn't take
with the public
Heper-I recall an amusing instance Of starc-fight
on the part Of young deacon who preaching his
maiden sermon. very ambitious effort, by the way.
lie had been oloqucnily describing the days Of old
when Justice cried IN vain for recognition in the affairs
OF men. And then by way Of contrast he started TO
show how much better things are now. "No longer
docs justice sob IN VAIN he began. But just then he
struck snag in his manuscript. which was not very
legible. With horror he realized that he must stop
IL mid-air unless he could exemporize sentence or
two finishing the picture of justice longer sobbing
in vain And 50, hardly knowing what he said, he
made tire following remarkable statement: NO longer
docs Justice sob in vain. she-she-grits her teeth
and wells" NaughteTl OF course the congregation
Couldn't help laughing pretty audbly, and the
wrcched young left the town the next day bowed
with shame. But the lesson salutaIy one for
he at Joined a debating society. and began 10
speak his legs. He IS Of the most forcblo
and polished cxtempeareous preachers in the Church
Chulchman-Well, gentlemen, for my part, ! would
Ike to moro attention paid TO the doctrines Of the
Church in cur s"mirarics.
NcwIight-I in favor OF giving all theological
students years training reporters on a daily
paper 50 bring them in contact with the flesh
and blood men and women.
Richtaway that be rather rough on the
papers? (auehtcrJ
Father Beni,on-I would have frequent retreats in
every seminary that the students might have an
opportunity get away from the flesh and blood men
and women 10 whom Or. Ncwlieht refers. and get
nearer to the great realities Of the spiritual world.
Rghtaway-I would make portion Of every semi
nary course consist Of a years experience on the
plains, punching cows or hcrdng sheep. Thi, would
take the starch and OF the young fellows
Oldway-In my opinion what our clergy need is a
more thorough grounding In the theology Of the carly
Church; that IS the backbone Of religion.
lIclper-I would make tho clergy good business
men by putting them in 4 bank or a business bouse
for a year after they leave tho seminary and
before they ordained.
Odvay-Ycs, and have them drop into a cood thing
and decide not TO study for the ministry
Helper-Ihat would only prove that they vcrc not
really called 10 the ministry, and is an additional
reason In favor Of my suggestion. il would keen ont
some at least Of those who ought not 10 enter that
| sacred calling.
Churchman-I received a letter few weeks ago
rom clergyman in the diocese OF Far West Can
You recommend 10 mo- he asked, goaly and zeaIops
clergyman who IS not a dude as an assistant IN my
missionary work? ! will give him II 900 4 ye,r
ana house bu he VIII have TO work night and dav.-
OF course could not get anybody. although hunted
around for two weeks. 4 good many Of our vo,,r,
seMhailans IN the East would Dc considered duds,
/ In the West
ANGLOMASIA.
Newlight-And great many Of our little c,or,c,,
Alterations either excite the rdlcnle of tI ,, 80
arc re1icl with utter Indifference by them pr,bab,,
you have all heard Of the dear old LADY from N,
country Who, not long ago, went 10 a fasbton,t5c
city church. in which there was an elaborate o,c,
!eciurn At the door usher approached her IN
whom she said, ~ am gittn' to Jo a little decf I
WONG he much Obliged if You could give me a scat
near NE hlu.' uaurhcrJ / doubt not il would
have seriously peplcXcd the simple Old so,I 70 have