New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-01-18
AN ADVANCED ENGLISH CLERGYMAN

Church Bells an English Episcopal paper,
is much agitated in its mind over The case OF a
Warwick clergyman Of ttc Lstal lishcd Church.
the Rev. John y. Todd. who rides a bicycle.
Church Bells dogs not object tc n clergyman
riding a bicycle on certain occasions for relaxa-
ton, and il might even under certain circum-
stances be brought 20 look favorably on a clergy
man making some of his calls on a bicy Gle where
the parishoncr lived a long way from the rcctory
and the former lad no other conveyance: but If
can never hope 10 approve Of the Rev. Mr.. Toddj
course. 1t appears, according 10 Church Bells.
that the Rev. John y. Todd is IN the habit OF
proceeding to chrrch Sunday morning on his
bicycle, first arraylng himself in full canonlcas.
The reverend gentleman is said 10 ride with great
cXpcrtncss and il is no uncommon thing for his
parishioncfs while dcvoutly proceeding 10 church
Sunday morning, to suddenly hear warning
alarm bell while on n crOa>ins and 10 dodge aside
lust in time to miss being run down by bicycle.
which disappears down the street in a cloud Of
dust. with the white surplcc Gl the rider fiSing
behind in the brec1 BY this last sign they know
il 10 he their rector hurrylng to church to begin
the morning service.
our London contemporary from which we have
quoted comments on the reverend gentleman 5
course at some length, and says: Surely he dis
PLAYS the lack. the very singular Lack of a sense
of propricty." We cannot learn that he has made
any statement TO the public seeking 10 Justify his
actions but as he continues the practice, IL Is
probable that he sees nothing out Of the way
with them As 10 what would hc thought Of
similar actions in this country we presume we
may safely say that they would be looked upon
much in the way that Church Bells seems 10
regard the matter. After all, however, We suppose
it is largely a matter OF taste. II clcrSJ man
could do as much good in Ihc world and ridc a
bicycle while wearing his suIplicc, We do not see
how any body could bring Legitimate objections
10 the practice. though We should think that II
would brighten horses; but if a minister 5 useful
ness was in any way impaired, he certainly should
stop it. The practice would furnish much light
and pleasant amusement for amateur photog-
raphcrs. but il would seem that il must J." very
trying to surpliccs especially Ia the rear bcadths
which are the most switched about by the wind
We are certainly in this, country none too liberal
in the outdoor sports which We allow our clergy
men: the case of the Rev. Frank Forsythc. OF
Rockland this State, who was Obliged 10 give up
his church last summer because he played base
ball, will be remembered, as will also that of the
Rev L. r. Howell, of llopolis, ILL.,, who was
forced 10 resign account OF oNcr-indulScnce III
croquct--though, in point of fact, Mr.. Howell
would moi probably have got into tronhc he'd he
not kept up the game with II lantern after the
lcll had rung for Wednesday evening prayer-meet-
ing. Last fall. too. the Rev. j. Garland Hammer.
II Newark, came near having trouble with his
flock on account of this same bcyclc-rldlng though
he never wore anything more striking than knee
brccchcs and rode only on week days But with
these instances in mind it certainly seems that II
the English clergyman were to try his present
practice I'm This country he would meet with
more discouraging treatment than hc is encounter
ine in England In short We do not believe that
a clergyman IN America could combine canonicalS
and bicycle SUNDAY morning and retain his
position in the Church