The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-10-23

them emotional. and they are the recepta-
Gle OF the confessions and condolences OF
women. upon whom the Church relies for Its
chief support Early marriages and large
families are accordingly the rule among
parsons. and the missionary societies en-.
courage them directly by increasing the
stipend of missionaries when they marry
and the number OF their children increases.
Protestant parsons. therefore, are not at
| all ascetics. The cclibacy OF the Roman
Church has been opposed by Professionalism
| always rs Papal outrage on humanity. In
the Episcopal Church there are few sworn
| celibates. the Protestant monk. Father
HUNTINGTON. for instance, but their appear
| ance aroused much suspicion Of Romish
| tendencies. prominent Episcopal clergy
man Of this diocese was criticised formerly
as a bachelor, who was believed to be an adj
vocate OF ceibacy for the clergy. but he
married In duo season and changed his rep
utation. At present there is hardly Prot
estant pastor in town who is bachelor.
The clergy. too. IRE noted for their enjoy
ment OF the good thugs OF life generally
They may not abuse them. but they like
them in reasonable measure. Among the
clergy are many excellent judges of wines.
and rs gastrononic critics they often deserve
high place. They 10 not despiso the good
gifts OF Providence. and usually they are
men Of healthy nppetites. They enjoy the
meal for which they say grace. and as
profession they look well fed. as they have
Il right to DO. They are not anchorltes. and
they do not pretend to asceticism.
Formerly no Protestant clergyman was
ever seen at the theatre. When the late DR..
BELLOWS appeared at the opera. twenty
five or thirty years ago. the town was taken
by surprise. although he was a Unitarian
minister,who was not expected to be as strict
as the orthodox. Afterward he was often at
the theatre. but US marked individual. Now
adays it is not unusual to find clergymen OF
the most orthodox churches at dramatic
performance. One OF the most conspicuous
OF them in town. is frequently at the play.
and lie is also noted rs sportsman.
Young clersymen think it no wrong to en-
gage in lawn tennis. and in England. IL not
here, many men OF the cloth are addicted
to whist. played for shilling stakes at least.
Nor do the parsons keep away from bril-
liant scenes Of social gayety. They belong
to clubs. Some Of them are flrst-rate judges
Of the points OF q good horse. and they take
lively interest IN athletic sports.
To allow to the clergy this wide latitude
in worldly enjoyment and yet to shut them
Off from smoking would be neither logical
nor fair Tobacco is great solace for men
OF profession which is SO largely seden-
tary. II its use is wicked. everything that
delights tho palate or pleases the eye is
wicked also. Whether it is physically
injurious to the user is for him to de-
eide by his individual experience. Morally.
the practice Of smoking ranks with all the
luxurious habits. In truth. it has no moral
quality at all. except so far as it involves
self-indulgence. and public opinion does not
forbid all self.indulgence to the clergy.
Let the clersymen smoke then. il they
are so minded. They have as much right
to cigar as the rest Of men, and it does
them no more harm than the rest OF men.
or no harm at all, in accordance with their
ability to stand tobacco.