The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-04-15
SUNDAY "AT HOMES"
Innovation by Mrs. John n. Mclean
That Displeases the FastidiOus.


Mrs. john r. Mclean has aroused Wash
ington society from it's lenten lethargy,
has had a tilt with some dignitaries of the
Episcopal Church and has given the lower
ten thousand a pleasant shock. Mrs. Nc
Lean has an original idea; she has also the
courage of her convictions. Society may
hold up its hands because she has held out
hers to the %populace, but Mrs. Mclean Is
serene. The two semi-religiouS entertain
ments which she has planned will take
place as soon as the weather permits at her
beautiful home, Beauvoir.
The two entertainments which are caus-
ing such excitement will take place on Sun
day afternoons. The fact that they are to
be given at all is a matter of disapproval
TO Washington society; that they are 10 be
given on Sunday afternoons is a shock TO
the dignitaries of the Episcopal Church.
Mrs. Mclean is, however, preparing for her
entertainments, and all Washington, with
out distinction of age. color or social posi-
ton. is TO be formally invited by her.
Ii was Mrs. McLean's intention, when the
idea originally came to her. that the invita-
tons to her lat homes be issued stimuli
taneously from every Methodist and Epis-
copal pulpit in the city. She had already
engaged the celebrated Marine Band TO
play a programme of Moody and Sankey
hymns, and it was arranged that the guests
should sing to this memorable accompani-
ment. This would definitely determine the
religious character of the affair; no doubt
the clergy would be glad to officially make
known the fact that all were equally well
come at Beauvoir on that occasion.
These matters settled. Mrs. Mclean
sought the various ministers OF the
churches. With one accord the Methodist
clergy acceded to her request. With the
Episcopalians il was a different matter.
The bishop of Washington was a personal
friend of Mrs. Mclean: so, too, was the
rector of ST. Johns Church, the most fash
ionable parish in the city. To these gen.
tlemen went the prospective hostess. The
reply was courteous. unequivocal, firm. No
invitations would be issued from their pull
churches in the city. The church disap-
proved of Sunday entertainments of any
nature. and Mrs. McLean's request must be
refused.
Finding that this portion of her pro-
gIamme could not be carried out, Mrs. Nc
Lean decided to supplement the announce
ment from the Methodist pulpit by an in
~vitation through the public press. In April
spring is sufficiently established in Wash
possibility. Two Sunday afternoons in
April. therefore, will see Mrs. McLean's
guests enjoying the woodland beauties of
Beauvoir, and incidentally the especial pro-
gramme prepared by the Marine Band for
the occasion. The hours spent thus will,
no doubt, prove a milestone in many an
u~neventful life. Society may not be there,
but the hymns will be sung by a lusty cho-
rus for all that. and there is no doubt that
Mrs. McLean's venture will prove a
crowded success. Whether her course will
be followed by other Washington hostesses
or not is a matter of conjecture: whether
Mrs. Mclean will extend the number of
Ter 'at-homes" is also unknown. One thing
is. however. certain; her entertainments
will be unique in the annals of Washing
ton society.