The Portland daily press., 1897-06-03
HATS OFF in CHURCH.
A Chicago Pastor Serves Notice on the
Women of His Congregation.

(From the Chicago Times Herald.)
The women of Unity Church, Oak
Park, will take off their bonnets and
hats and sit unbonneted and Undated
during the Sunday morning, and evening
services conducted by their pastor Rev.
R. f. Johannot, who sayshe cannot see
why the children of darkness should al
ways be wiser than the children of light. y
In fact, he does not propose to let the
theatre become more advanced than the
church. So few weeks ago he init
mated to his congregation his wishes in
the matter and requested the women of
Unity church to be leaders in the new
movement.
Naturally the step caused something
more than a ripple of surprise. Not
little indignation was expressed. Their
were some who said Pastor Johannot was
growing autocratic when he attempted to
dictate in matters of dress. 1t ha 'dly
seemed decorous to sit unbonneted in
church, besides there were other ques-
lions involved. What was to become of
the church millinery Chow does my
hair look?" would be the query now, in
stead of the old familiar Is my hat on
straight?'
1t certainly gives the congregation a
home look as they sit all with uncovered
heads, but somehow it is not satisfying.
The attractive and diverting spectacle
of well-trilnmed hats and bonnets-re-
sembling as they do garden of flowers
is like the withdrawal of the stained glass
windows or an effective part of the SER
vice. True, there is no craning of the
| neck to get around big offensive hat to
see the preacher. And this is the reason
for the mandate: Take off your bonnets
and hats in church" &
The Rev. r. F. Johonnot, pastor of
Unity Church, believes that the church
of the future will have dressing room
where ladies can leave their hats and
wraps and check room for OyercOats and
umbrellas. He is very much in earnest
in his new crusade against the monopoly
Of fashion. - have no personal interest
in the matter he said, Except to give
a more homelike and devotional aspect
to the meeting. 1t will, if carried out,
make the congregation look as if it's la
dies had come to stay and were not mere
ly visitors. Then consider the courtesy
Of such movement. 1t will be carrying
out the golden rule. Why, / went to a
church in the city not long ago where
four young ladies came in and occupied
the pew in front OF me. Each one wore
a flower garden on her head, and I did
not get even 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 off their hats.
Now, | do not ask my people in a
compulsory spirit to remove their hats.
l suggest it as matter of courtesy, first
to the church. next to me as their pastor.
AS l said in public, 1 have two reasons
one and the main one, is that other peo-
pie may enjoy the privileges of the sane
tuary; the other that the assembled wor-
shippers may look homelike.
"The women have accepted the edict in
very friendly spirit of acquiescence
The leaven is working we'll, and / must
express my gratitude to the young women
of the choir, who led the way. OF course
there are some who will never change a
custom until it becomes fashion. AS
soon rs it is fashionable to sit in church
without bonnet all the ladies will adopt
the idea.'
Perhaps they have a wholesale fear
of st. Paul, who said that the women
should remain covered in church?'
est. Paul is out of date with such ira
ditions as those in the present age of the
world. l intend to leave the matter en-
tirely to the good sense and courtesy of
the ladies of my congregation, satisfied
that they will decide what is best them
selves. The whole thing was suggested
to me by complaints made from time to
time by sitters who could not see the plat
form on account of the overshadoWing
presence of fashionable millinery