Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-01-12
WHERE TO DRAW THE LINE.
Other Prominent Ministers Not Quite 81


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Other Prominent Ministers Not Quite so
LIberaI-CathoIic and Hebrnic Ideas.
At Christ Church, Thirty-fifth street and
Fifth avenue, Rev. DR.. Shipman was
found. He is a man of engaging presence,
clear, sparkling eyes and kind manners.
81 am fisherman" said he, "and for years
have spent two months of every summer
camping out on Beaver river, in the Adir-
ondacks delight in that sport, and find
healthsamusement and, indeed, recreation
in it. 1 don't shoot, but see no special OBJ
lection to it. 1t does seem to me, however,
that shooting takes away higher type OF
lie than fishing does, and that fish suffer
very little when caught. Ny boys camp
out with me in summer, and they do the
cunning for the party. As for billiards,
chess, cards, and the like, know of no
reason why a clergyman shouldn't play
billiards at a private billiard table. Public
billiard rooms, on account of their associa-
tions and the attendant indulgence in
liquor, the bar, etc., would of course not be
proper places tor a preacher to frequent.
As for chess, 1 haven't time, had inclina-
tion. I couldn't afford to spend six hours
over single gSme-of anything. Cards 1
know nothing about so of course 1 don't
play whist. do not, in fact know one
card from another, but my wife and children
play at home in the evening""
Rev. DR.. c. c. Tiffany, OF Zion Church,
corner of Thirty-eIghth street, and Madison
avenue, is a little too portly for an athlete.
But the good Doctors creed and disposition
in no way render him bigoted on the subject
fnf o1r nr
is just the sort OF one horse or dog would
love; it is full of gentle consideration. And
be was very anxious l should quote here ae-
curately. "Any healthfuI outdoor sports
proper for laymen," said he, care prima
tacie proper for clergymen. The Apostles
fshed; why shouldn't modern teachers of
religion shoot, if they feel so disposed? But
it should be remembered that while all
things are lawful, all things are not ex-
pedient With that borne in mind there is
no reason why clergyman should not take
part in chess, whist, draughts, etc., as in
door games or in tennis and croquet, for ex-
ample, as outdoor sports. Indeed a proper
use of healthfu. outdoor sports is highly de-
sirable as promoting vigorous health and
a manly tone of life. ="
Rev. Arthur Brooks was at first mifed at
the idea of expressing his view on the proper
Tecreations of a clergyman. he is rector of
the Episcopal Church of the Incarnation, at
209 Madison avenue. He even expressed
surprise that anyone should suppose it i'm
proper or unbecoming for a clergyman to
take part in outdoor sports, but thought the
fact that the Apostles followed fishing not,
in itself, justification of preachers of to-
day fishing or shooting for sport.
ANOTHER LEADING PRESBYTERIAN.
A friend and admirer of DIR. John R.
Paxton, of the West Presbyterian Church
on Forty-second street, in the confinement
of his favorite preacher, spoke for him. DR..
Paxton. who ranks with DR.. John Hall and
DR.. Van Dyke among the leading Presby.
terian preachers OF New York, is youngish
man, with young mans ardor, a clear gray
eve and a mass of iron gray hair which
gives individuality to his face. "My
friend Paxton" said the layman, at the
same time disavowing any Intention of
speaking ex-cathedra, my ricnd Paxton
does whatever he does with his might
Walking, believe, IS his rtvorite outdoor
exercise, and when he walks ne walks like
a steam engine. He handles a deft cue at
the billiard table, is a good judge of red
wine and doesn't scruple to take part in Sec
ular debates, in a private house, with as
vigorous treatment of profane as he at other
times develops toward sacred subjects. DR..
Paxton's friends know and admire him as a
broad-minded preacher, who has no patience
with the exploded idea that there is hedge
about a clergyman which, even on week
days, he may not overstep without subject
ing himself to deserved censure.
"Dr. John Hall? Well, can't speak for
DR.. Hall as accurately as I can for DR..
Paxton. know the latter admires and en-
courages all desirable outdoor and indoor
nd Ho11 b
is Scotchman, and you know what the
Scotch Sawbath' is"
Rev. DR.. Macarthur, of the Calvary Bap-
tist Church, said: "Your list of outdoor
sports and indoor amusements embraces
many diversions that are not wrong in them
selves, but which clergyman cannot enjoy
on account of public sentiment No wise
clergyman will do anything that will lessen
his influence for good. He must take into
account the foolish prejudices. as he may
deem them, of the community in which he
lives. The Apostle Paul clearly laid down
this doctrine when drawing the line between
things lawful and things 'expedient' He.
was willing, for example, not to eat meat or
drink wine as long as the world said that
thereby he made his brother to offend. But
there ought to be a limit to this weak
brothers rights. The weak brother, so
called, is often the most unreasonable brother
in the household oil faith"
THE HEBRAIC VIEW.
Rev. DR.. Alexander Cohut, of the Temple
Ahaweth Chesed, is one of the most learned
and advanced of the reformed rabbis of
the country. He declares himself in favor
of all kinds of sports that strengthen the
mind and body. He thinks shooting and
coursing are cruel and inhuman. All card
games tend to wickedness; theaters are not
to be Stunned as long as they convey a
moral. A man who is q clergyman ought
not to do anything that is inconsistent with
his place as a teacher and instructor in the
community. Chess, he believes, is the only
game that is allowable In the Hebrew faith.
The Rev. Bernard Drachman, one of the
shining lights of Hebraic orthodoxy in the
city, is also opposed to the shooting of ami
mails, but exercise which is beneficial to the
health is both proper and good. Theater
going he thinks allowable as long as it does
not corrupt the morals, which some per-
formances certainly do. The bearing of
clergyman should be digni6ed and spiritual,
becoming a man of his sacred calling. Both
rabbis agreed that horseback riding must
not be INDUCED in by rabbi or even an or
thodox believer, unless as q ma1ter of ne
cessity. As recreation or sport it is un-
justihable from the Hebraic point of view.
So Tor sport pure and simple fishing is not
permissible for Hebrew, inasmuch as no or
thodox Hebrew viii amuse himself BY max