The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1899-03-25
Local Pastors Give
Their Views.
SOME WANT IiEiDGRaR REMOVED
Action Of Eastern Churches againtt
Womens' Mats Attracts Con.
siderable Attention.

The news published In the Star
Thursday from Philadelphia con-
corning the movement on foot in
that city aud In New York to abol-
Ish high hats In the churches. has
caused considerable discussion
among the ladies Of Seattle and has
also stirred ~ the pastors 10 ex-
press their opinions on the subject
Of the high bats. II wili be seen
from the interviews given below
that some ~ the reverend gentlemen
are IN favor ~ the introduction Of
radical reform IN the congrega-
lions ~ this city 90 far the male
members ~ the eonRrega have
not been heard from. but their
opinions viii be awaited with In
tereat.
Rev. T.iwyd wants small Hats.
Rev. J. p. u. Liwyd said: The
high hat II one OF the most fascinat-
Ing ornaments worn by well dressed
women and one does not wonder that
they hesitate 20 discard a. Al the
same time when ~ becomes a hin
dranoe to the view OF those sitting
behind al a public entertainment
then u should be adjudged and
treated a. a nuisance. The height
81 some Of these thTee-ktory affairs
In certainly provocative Of anger on
the part Of gentlemen sitting In the
rear. II lie. therefore. a sign o.
good sense on the part Of American
women that they remove these hats
al the theater and the opera.
but IN the church ~ II different.
There are grave reasons to be
drawn from Scripture and custom
against women removing their hats
in the sanctuary. Perhaps the best
way would be for women to adopt
the simple fashion Of wearing 10
church hats % sower stature than
the Objectionable high ornaments
referred to"
Rev. GIiehri-t rsyors Hare Heads.
Rev. Hugh Giiehrist. pastor az
Westminster church, said: Il think
that the move 10 eliminate the high
hat from church. would. with csr-
tain limitations. be a good thing in
Seattle. The idea Of a church con-
gregatlon IL that Of a family ana
r
wraps and the hats and cit down
together. The same spirit should
prevail in a church. know that
there are some who think that there
are scrlptnral reasons against wo-
men removing their hats In the
sanctuary. but In my opinion these
reasons do not apply in this age Of
the world. The words OF Paul
should not be 30 construed.
Recently one Of the ladies In my
congregation speaking on the sub
ject Of high hats in church. suggest
ed that the pulpit In our new church
should be placed high enough so
that those persons sitting behind
could see over the hats In front l
suggested ten Zee; as the altitude,
II she wished to overcome the dam
aged perspective. one Sunday re-
Gently I had Just commenced SER
vice when a lady marched into the
room wearing an enormous hat. IL
had three gigantic feathers. One
shot out 20 the right. another swung
away to the left and the third soar
ed upwards. IL struck my sense
Of the ridiculous ModeSty and COM
mon sense should rule in women's
attire and should dictate the selec-
ton Of hats"
some Conflicting opinions.
Rev W. II. Temple. The removal
of hats BY the ladies in church
would. In my opinion. be too thea
trlcal. People Go rot come 70
church to look at each others hats.
anyhow. but TO worship"
Rev Herbert II. Gowen; II do not
advocate the new idea OF ladies' re-
moving hats when in church. There
Is no good reason FOR u. In our
church the seats are arranged one
above the other go that persons Sit
ting behind can look over the heads
of those seated In front"
Or. T.. NJ. Randall. THE hat ques-
ton should be settled by the die
tatcs OF common sense. A woman
with a big hat In church can make
a nuisance of herself or she can be
very agreeable with small hat"
Rev. \. l. Hutchson; AT my
church the seats are so arranged
that little bother is caused by ladies'
hats. 4 large hat trimmed with
plumes often annoys those sitting
behind 1t. and in many cases dis
tracts attention from the services.
/ doubt II the movement for the re-
moval OF hats viii be universal. but
in my opinion great deal OF good
would result from II,
Louis :. Bowerman: Il would be
heartily In favor Of a local move
taent for the removal Of big hats in
church. 1t "a something that must
=. -
er the better. for many reasons
hitch 49,. .aati.s 10 tpaaaiDal -