Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-09-01
EPISCOPAL MONKS.
Tho Community of ~. benedict anu
Its work, Vows, and Aims.


Since last May the monks OF the Epis-
con,l order Of the Community OF Saint
Henedict have conducted summer home
for orDhaned and crippled children IN
the lttie village Of Fdilsinston, Pa,
few miles from Trenton. while considering
the question Of n permanent nome.
Taer. the members Of the community
which began its lie I'm this city last Sep
tonher as the Community OF tie Brothers
Of the Church. having been Instituted ~
Bishop Potter IN St Chrysostom's chapel
az Seventh avenue ana west Thirty
ninth street. have occupied house, rent
free for their ph.ianthropic work. Ihey
have found 10 impossible. however, TO
make Satisfactory arrangements Tor a
permanent home there. and VIII soon
move % Jericho Mountain, az Pinesylll@.
Pa. some fifteen miles distant, where
they have obtained land. on this land
the community VIII erect temporary
building Of wood. at small expense. hoping
later TO build suitable structure Of
stone.
This location in the Pennsylvania
mountains IS esneclaliy adapted TO the re-
vlyal Il monasiic lie In the Episcopal
Church, rs 10 offers almost complete Sc
clusion. AID yet can be reached easily.
When the Community OF the Brothers
OF the Church took possession Of its priory
on west TAirty-nfth street. near Ninth
avenue. Brother Hugh, the PRIOR OF the
community. ana his associates donned a
selnl-monastlc garb which they wore
within doors ami during their mlnlstra-
tions In the tenemeats Of the ne.ghhor-
hood. Their life was also so ascetc IS 10
cause comment on the part Of those cogni-
zant q the vows they had taken
These vows bound them 10 religious lie
for only 4 few years. provided they
wished to sever the bonds eventually.
With the change in the name of the
community. the Brothers Of the Church
became tie Fathers of st. Benedict, and
took the life-vows OF poverty, chastity.
and obedience. Father Hugh. the abbot,
AMI his fcllw-WembeIs OF the order now
wear the fun habit Of the Benedictine.
black. with sandals on their feet, and
shaver or t0nsurel heads, as did the
monks Of old. They never are permitted
to appear IN secular attire. even when
they leave their monastery, and their
peculiar Orcss makes them conspicuous
when they 80 on errands OF mercy among
the towns and vlllag in their immediate
neighb)ThOod
The structure into which the monks Will
move early next month viii be an UNI
uretentiOus structure. costing only 500.
for the order is poor, AMI can AFFORD
nothing better. This Will have u suffice
for the winter. at least. but IL is hoped
that part OF a stone chapel can be built
soon to take the place Of the small ora
tory 70 be used ct first. In time, 1t is be-
lleved. suitable buildings will be con-
structed of character 10 make IL posi-
bic for the community 10 DO more for
those outside it than can be done at pres
ent.
The community OF ST. Benedict Is a
begging order. having no resources Of its
own. and being wholly dependent upon
the gifts Of those interested IN the revival
OF mJnastic life in the Anglo-American
branch u the Church. Reports have been
spread tina; the community is possessed
OF ample means. and these have done
great dctriment to Its progress and work
1t Is thought that these reports arose
from the fact that n conspicuous church,
woman pre scented 20 the community 500
when the removal 10 FallsnetOn was
made In the spring. Father Hugh, the
founder and abbot Of the order. was for
merly Russell Whitcomb, n young bust
ncss-man In Boston, and gave UP a sue
cessful career IN the world for life OF
devotion to the Church. He and his as
sociates belong TO what Is known as the
Catholic party in the Episcopal Church.