The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-02-23
CHURCHMAN AND CLOWN.
n Rev. Or. Stires Believes . Nan May
Be noth-A story 10 Prove II.

The Rev. Ernest NJ. Stires ID. D., the new
rector Of St. Thomas's Episcopal Church.
tells what one Of his Pensioners calls a
good circus story:
About, five years ago, while he was rector
Of Grace Church, Chicago, a young man,
a stranger, knelt at the altar one Sunday
morning and received communion. After
the service he called at the vestry and
told DR.. Stires that he was a stranger;
that his business was such that he seldom
had an opportunity of attending any church
service, and especially such q service as
that in which he had just participated.
He doubted whether his business was
such as to warrant him In receiving the
emblems.
What is your business?- asked the rector.
am n clown In a circus, was the reply.
Il do not know why that should exclude
you from the altar said DR.. Stires. -On
the contrary, your church O ffliations should
enable you TO be ali the better clown If
that IL your business, and you have con-
GUIDED TO continue 1t as your business in
life.
There ia such a thing az wholesome
humor and wit; II you are going to remain
a clown, employ your talents TO elevate
your profession. DO II in limo with what
you conceive to I've a Christian duty.
You can reach a congregation which
no preacher can reach. People will hear
you who will not come to church.
not let the fact hat you are a clown
deter you from being n c~hurchman. You
can he both, and from this time make up
your mind 10 that"
h story goes on TO say that the rector
presented the clown with a little book
which was a translation from the French
OF a story Of an acrobat who became in
terested in the service Of an old monastery
In France. The acrobat could not read,
nor had he any voice for or knowledge Of
music. He therefore could not enjoy
certain privileges in the monastery, but
the abbot got him a place in the s~Cullery.
One day when the acrobat was busting
and cleaning up an old altar in the crypt
OF the monastery on which stood al image
OF the Virgin he was overcome with the
thought that he should pay the Virgin
homage. But he did not know how
TO 60 DOT IL.
, He remembered something about the
lesson that n should employ whatever
talent n had 70 the fullest extent. He
had but one talent-that Of tumbling.
I~hereupon he went through his act,
tumbling before the statue; and he prayed
That the Virgin might receive the act az
ms homage. as II was all he knew how to do.
, Some OF the monks who saw the acrobat
before the altar were greatly amused and
informed the abbot. II was first suggested
the acrobat he asked to amuEe the
monks some evening by giving an exhibi-
tlon. Before the appointed time, however,
the abbot changed his mind, having been
in a dream 20 do so. The acrobat
was accordingly taken in hand and taught
read and chant, and his talent was thus
trained in n direction which enabled him
soon after 70 join the the services Of the
The clown carried the little book AWAY
win him and although he is still in tho
rlnG as n jester, II Is said that his savings
often sparkle with philosophic aphorisms.
and that he is employing his talent i'm n
manner which would b. quite satisfactory
TO any Bishop or rector He is probably
the only churchman clown in the country.