New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-08-16
FASHIONS IN CLERICAL GARB.
CHANGES THAT HAVE BEEN WROUGHT IN
THE LAST FEW YEARS

THE LAST FEW YEARS.
The latitude which may he observed now in the
dress of the clergy Of all denominations Is one
among the many signs OF the modern liberal tend
encles At present 1t seems TO be almost wholly
a ouestion OF per.onal taste to whether or not
a minister when not In the pulpit shall wear dis
tinctively clerical clothes. Years ago. when the
lines between the different sects were much more
sharply drawn It would have been considered re-
markable departure. significant OF his immediate
conversion to Anglicanism or even to Romanism.
for n Raptist Methodist or Presbyterian minister
TO don the regulation dress Of the Episcopal clergy
Now the wearers of the cassock vest the clerical
frock coat with It's standing collar. and the round
linen collar opening at the back, are TO be counted
among pastors Of all denominations. At Meth
odist conference held in the spring several Of the
men present dressed In extreme clerical
style leading tailor in Broadway said the other
day that he made the Episcopal garb for great
many Presbyterian ministers. The climax OF nov
city seems to have been reached when a Unitarian
clergyman appears in full clericals. The gentle
man in question goes so far as to wear the Roman
rundown collar. with the rabbi or bib-lke at
nnS Of of fG ss Anecan y OF tn"
But there is an opposite side TO the matter While
adopt the Distinctive uniform if they desire they
also quite at liberty TO wear clothes exactly
ever color or cut may suit their fancy Hence It
has come about that the old-tme Prince Albert
coat and white tie, which used TO be the certain
comparatively seldom seen Ihose "nlch
still exist are confined chiefly to tie older men,
who find It hard TO depart from lifelong conHen ,,
lions and TO country pastors. among whom
changes Of fashion are long In making themselves
felt II minister to-day does not choose TO adopt
the Episcopal dress. he usually wears an ordinary
suit, making no attempt at any halfway dstinc-
ton. Even In the Episcopal Church there are
clergymen. though they are decidedly In the
minority as vet who prefer not be known
such by their clothes. When engaged In any out
door pastme in the country they put on appropri-
ate costumes. such as bicycle or golf suits or
light fannels 1t is the opinion Of clergymen who
dislike the uniform" idea that they lose influence
with large class Of people by placing themselves
apart and as IT were advertising their profession.
other hand that the ministry Is profession which
ought to be distinguished from all others. and be,
lIeye that the significant costume goes far toward
claiming the respect OF the general public
The changes in the dress OF clergymen when In
the pulpit have been less marked. In the Roman
Catholic and Episcopal churches the preacher Is
garb. This for Epscopalians consists OF the long.
black cassock. moderately tght-htting underneath.
and the white surplice above. The stole. long
silk or satin band symbolizing the yoke of the Cos
pei is worn both shoulders. the ends falling
down In front In the Presbyterian Church the
wearing OF the black Geneva gown Is optional. but,
say. the OF them Is certainly not on the de-
crease The gown worn by Lutheran preachers
differs slightly In cut from the Geneva pattern
but bears a general resemblance to IT. Baptist
clergymen do not ordinarily wear gowns when
preaching, but when immersion Is TO take place
garment called n baptismal gown Is put on me
demand for these appears 10 be fuly as strong as
The business OF manufacturing clerical clothing
and vestments Is one entirely separate from or.
binary tailoring Some clothing establishments and
custom taiors. II is true, do good deal of this
kind OF work but special men have to be employed
for IT, and It becomes department by itself. In
CITY which exist solely for tho clerical trade. and
make no other kind of clothing.