The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-07-01
WEARS SHIRT WAIST
IN HIS PULPIT.
Compton Heights Christian Church
Pastor Departs From the
Old Form.

The Reverend James N. Crutcher pastor
of the Compton Heights Christian Church.
appeared in his pulpit last night in a cool
white shirt waist and delivered a sermon
on "Fads in Religion" to congregation
composed largely Of coatless men and hat
less women.
This departure from the old form of
starched shirts and coats and heavy hats
was for the sake of comfort and to keep up
the attendance of the congregation during
the hot weather The church. which Is To-
Gated on the southwest corner Of st. Vim
cent and California avenues, has large,
cool auditorium. with great windows on
every side Ordinarily it Is cool place.
and has always proved inviting to large
congregations in warm weather. But the
sweltering heat Of the past few weeks has
been discouraging.
The pastor, who Is only 26 years cid, is q
practical man. Perceiving that the only
way to hold his congregation through the
extremely hot weather was to make the
people comfortable. he announced that last
night he would appear in a shirt waist and
invited men to attend in the same attire and
women TO come without their hats
Sunday morning a number of Young men
were in the congregation in their shirt
waists. They appeared SO cool and comfort
able that in the evening the greater part Of
the men In the congregation followed the
example, and number Of women with their
hair dressed In attractive modes sat with
their hats in their laps. and several came
bareheaded.
Before the pastor appeared in the pulpit
there was an increasing hum of discussion
of the innovation as the congregation gath
cred. Everybody watched the entrance to
see who would be the next to take advan-
tags OF the invitation.
At first a few old men came with their
coats on. But one Of them, failing to find
comfort in fan. removed his coat. He
was followed by the others Then the young
men came-more than had attended the
ty shirt waists. The young girls and the
older women wore shirt waists In fact, as
the conversation grew; Il became evident
In the morning congregation several of
the older male members said they disap-
proved Of the idea. but when they saw the
were satisfied that It was good one
The Reverend Crutcher walked up and
down the aisles. and received at the door,
wearing a satisfied smile as he saw the sue
said: p.'p''' -
81 am pleased to see 70 many here. I
ann glad you ke my suggestion to come in
glad that you have taken the suggestion as
/ meant It. It Is not a fad. felt that Il
was common sense, and now believe you
"Ours should be religion of comfort. I
do not think It necessary that we should
form. The weather Is hot We ali know IL.
and we know we are more comfortable at
home with our coats on. The ladies do not
wear their hats al home. So. why should
we not be Just as comfortable at church as
at home? There IL no reason that I can
think Of
II want to encourage people to come to
church. !. think this idea will encourage
the young men to attend In fact it mas
encouraged them to come here tonight.
Paul protested against formality. It was
he who suggested that men should cot their
hair for: the comfort Of It. :.
. mo one should feel ~ ct ease or self-con.
scious. Just feel 40 though this had been
suggestion for advertisement or sensation
II rests with the Wearer. II you feel moi
cnmfortahle. leave your coats and hats OF