The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-05-30
MATS OFF IN u r.
a Chicago Pastor serves Notice on the woucn
OF His CsnGreGntion.



From ne ChtcaOo TiHuss Herald.
The women Of Unity Church, Oak Park. will
take Off their bonnets and hats and sit UNI
bonneted and Undated during the Sunday
morning and evening services conducted by
their pastor. the Rev. r. +. Johonnot, who says
he cannot see why the children Of darkness
should always be wiser than the children Of
light" In fact, he does not propose to let tho
theatre become more advanced than the Church.
SO a few weeks ago he intimated to his congre-
cation his wishes in the matter and requested
the women OF Unity Church to be leaders In the
new movement.
Naturally tho step caused something moro
than n ripple Of surprise. Not n little indigna-
ton was expressed. There were some who said
Pastor Johonnot was growing autocratic when
he attempted to dictate in matters Of dress. 1t
hardly seemed decorous to sit unbonneted in
church, besides there were other questions in.
volyed. What was to become of the church
millinervl How does my hair look T. would
be the query now, instead Of the old familiar
rs my hat on straight r.
1t certainly gives the congregation n home
look as they sit all with uncovered heads, but
somehow II Is not satisfying. The attractive
and diverting spectacle OF well.trimmed hats
and understanding as they do a garden OF
howers-is like the withdrawal Of the stained
bNOS ihNON VI ui ~ polN NhN btl y
True. there is no craning of the neck to get
around a big offensive hat to zee the preacher.
And this is the reason for the mandate: Take
OF your bonnets and hats In church"
The Rev. r. +. Johonnot, pastor Of Unity
Church, believes. that the church OF the future
will have ADDRESSING room where ladies can leave
their hats and wraps and a check room for over
coats and umbrellas. He is very much in earnest
in his new crusade against the monopoly OF fash
ion. " have no personal interest in the matter"
he said, except to give a more homelike and de-
ried out, make the congregation look as il its
itors. Then consider the courtesy OF such a
movement. 1t will be carrying out the golden
s gRls' NOT %shII long T agent u! %he a eh soSa IN goa shs
in front of me. Each one wore a flower garden
on her head, and l did not get even a glimpse Of
the preacher. You see. our churches have not
raised seats like the theatre. yet the theatre set
the first example and compelled ladies to take
Now. I do not ask my, people in a compulsory
spirit to remove their hats. I suggest 1t as Q
mst as their Ss c pSstSf! h tssf SO sSid M IN sf pa5lic. 1 7 haT to
two Teasons-one, and the main one Is that other
people PeS! the %a ots sn!0 ih the tb p5i HsssSbie Of dw t6e sGnetn;
may look more homelike.
Tho women have accepted the cdict in a very
working well. and 1 must express my gratitude
to the young women OF the choir, who led the
SSsn,. o = S c1sI + t tn,ie a. are sss some WIG : |. VII never
soon as it is fashionable to sit in church with
out q bonnet all the ladies will adopt the idea"
Paul. who said that the women should remain
covered in church T.
st. Paul is out of date with such traditions
as those in the present age OF the world. in
tend TO leave the matter entirely to the good
sense and courtesy OF tho ladies OF my congrega-
themselves. The whole thing was suggested to
me by complaints made from time to time by
sitters who could not see the platform on &C.
fashionable millinery