The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1896-10-15
|FASHICN IN CLERICAL GARs.



the Last Few Years.
The latitude which NAV 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 a minister when not |
in the pulpit shall wear distinctly cler-
zeal clothes. Years ago, when the |
lines between the different sects were |
much more sharply drawn, it would |
have been considered a remarkable de-
parture, significant of its immediate |
conversion to Anglicanism or even to |
Romanism, for a Baptist, Methodist or
Presbyterian minister to don the regu-
lation dress of the Episcopal clergy |
Now the wearers of the cassock vest, |
the clerical frock 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 a 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 a Unitarian
clergyman appears in full clericals.
The gentleman in question goes so far
as to wear the Roman rundown collar,
with the rabbi" or bib-like 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 minister's 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 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 a 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 clergyman who dislike the
uniform idea that they lose influ-
ence with large class of people by
placing themselves apart, and, as it
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 be
! 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 and
| Episcopal churches the preacher is abb
| solutely required to wear certain
prescribed garb. This for Episco-
palians consists of the long. black cas-
sock, moderately tight-titting under
meath, and the white surpice above.
The stole, a long silk or satin band,
symbolizing the yoke of the gospel, is
worn over both shoulders. the ends
falling down in front. In the Presby-
terrain church the wearing of the black
Geneva gown is optional, but, judging
from what the makers of these articles
say, the use of them is certainly not on
the decrease. The gown worn by Luth-
eran preachers differs slightly in cut
from the Geneva pattern, but bears
general resemblance to it. Baptist
clergymen do not ordinarily wear
gowns when preaching. but when an
immersion is to take place garment
called baptismal gown is put on. The
demand for these appears to be fully as
strong as ever.
The business of manufacturing cler-
zeal clothing and vestments is one en-
tirely separate from ordinary tailoring.
Some clothing establishments and Gus
tom tailors, it is true, do good deal
of this kind of work, but special men
| have to be employed for it. and it be-
comes department by itself. In addi
| ton to these there are several houses
in this city which exist solely for the
| clerical trade. and make no other kind
of clothing.-N. y. Times.