The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1896-11-14
FASHION IN CLERICAL eARH.
Changes That Have Been Wrought In
che Last Fyw Years.

The latitude which may be observed
now in the dress of the clergy OF all
denominations is one among the many
signs of the modern liberal tendencies.
AT present it seems TO be almost wholly
question of personal taste as TO
whether or not g. minister when NOT
in the pulpit shall wear distinctly cler-
ical clothes. Years ago, when the
lines between the different sects were
much more sharply drawn, it would
have been considered remarkable de-
parture. significant of its immediate
conversion TO Anglicanism or even to
Romanism, for Baptist, Methodist or
Presbyterian minister to don the regu.
iation dress of the Episcopal clergy
Now the wearers of the cassock vest,
the clerical froclS coat with its standing
collar, and the round linen collar open
ing at the back. are to be counted
among pastors OF all denominations.
| At q Methodist conference held in the
spring several of the men present were
dressed in extreme clerical style. A
leading tailor in broadway said the
other day that he made the Episcopal
garb for great many Presbyterian
ministers. The climax of novelty seems
to have been reached when Unitarian
clergyman appears in full clericais
The gentleman in question goes SO far
as to wear the Roman turn-down collar,
with the rabbi" or bib-li<e attach
ment of cloth in front, instead of the
] plain, single band of the Anglican style.
But there is an opposite side to the
matter While ministers in general
are practically free now to adopt the
distinctive uniform if they desire,
they are also quite at liberty to wear
clothes exactly similar to those of any
ordinary citizen, of whatever color or
cut may suit their fancy. Hence it has
come about that the old-time Prince Al
bert coat and white tie, which used to
be the certain signs of the evangelical
preachers a few years ago, are now
comparatively seldom seen. Those
which still exist are confined chiefly to
the older men, who find it hard to de-
part from lifelong conventions, and to
country pastors, among whom changes
in fashion are long in making them
selves felt. If minister to-day does
not choose to adopt the Episcopal dress
he usually wears an ordinary suit, max
ing no attempt at any halfway dis
tinction.
Even in the Episcopal church there
are some clergymen, though they are
decidedly in the minority as yet, who
prefer not to be known as such by their
clothes. When engaged in any outdoor
pastime in the country they put on APP
propriate costumes, such as bicycle or
golf suits, or light fannels. 1t is the
opinion of clergymen who dislike the
uniform" idea that they lose influ-
ence With large class of people by
placing themselves apart, and, as il
were, advertising their profession
Those who favor the clerical dress con-
tend, ON the other hand, that the minis
try is a profession which ought to bt
distinguished from all others, and be
lieve that the significant costume goes
far toward claiming the respect of the
general public.
The changes in the dress of clergy
men when in the pulpit have been less
marked. In the Roman Catholic ant
Episcopal churches the preacher is alb
solutely required to wear a certain
prescribed garb. This for Episco
palians consists of the long, black cas-
sock, moderately tight-fitting under
meath, and the white surplice above
The stole, long silk or satin band
symbolizing the yoke of the gospel, j,
cI ri.
falling down in front. In the Presby
terrain church the wearing of the biacl
: Geneva gown is optional, but. judging
from what the makers of these article
J. say, the use of them is certainly not oil
4 the decrease. The gown worn by Luth
u eran preachers differs slightly in Gu
from the Geneva pattern, but bears
/ general resemblance to it. Baptis
clergymen do not ordinarily wea
/; gowns when preaching, but when a
5 immersion rs to take place a carmen
called baptismal gown is put on. Tn
! demand for these appears to be fully a
. strong as ever.
The business of manufacturing cleI
zeal clothing and vestments is one en-
tirely separate from ordinary tailoring
- Some clothing establishments and Gus
IS tom tailors, it is true, do good des
# of this kind of work, but special me
have to be employed for it, and it be
4? comes department by itself. In add
{? ton to these there are several house
II in this city which exist solely for tn
I clerical trade, and make no other kin
1t IF ciothing.-N. Y. Times.
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