New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-10-09

Whatever
the faults, negigences and shortcomings of
other people ln other conditions of calling and
election II Is tacltly expected that the processing
disciples OF Christ the priests. teachers and
ponents OF holy and spiritual things. should be
more or less holy and spiritual in themselves They
are al any rate accredited with honest effort to
practise, as well 10 preach, the divine ethics OF
their divine Master. Their position IN the social
community Is which through old-tirne tradition
historical sentiment and Unborn national rietv Is
bound TO command certain respect from the laty
ANY public disgrace Detailing clergyman Is ALWAYS
accompanied by a strong public of shame dis
appointment and regret. And when we meet (as
most unhappily often dol with men in holy
orders who, instead of furnishing the noble and
pure examples of hfe and character which We have
distinct right look for them degrade themselves
and their high profession by conduct unworthy OF the
lowest untutored barbarian moved bv amaze
uent well think that such wolves in
Sleeps clothing should dare masquerade as the
scedly ordained helpers and instructors Of the strug
Cling human soul.
1t would be vain TO deny that during the past few
years there nave been many examples OF belonging
10 the hierarchy of the church who have wantonv
and knowingly outraged every canon Of honor and
virtue and their sins appear all the backer because
OF the whiteness OF the faith they profess
A criminal is twice criminal when he adds nv
pocrisy 10 his crime. The clergyman OF a parish
VINO has all doors thrown open TO him, who invites
and receives the trust of his parishloners who
devious and difficult ways OF life. thousand times
blame than any other a less responsible
position, when he knowingly and deliberately consents
sin. Unless he IS able govern his own passions
and eschew every base, and petty motive of
action he TT 10 influence his fellow-rnen nor
should he presume instruct them IN matters which
he makes Il evident he does not himself understand
\ case was chroncled the daily press recently
OF clergyman who went - visit dying al
her request. She wished 10 make last confession
him and unburden her soul OF its misery
before she passed away, trusting Gods mercy for
pardon and peace The clergyman went accordingly
and heard what she had TO say. When the unhappy
creature dead however, he refused her poor body
the sacred rites OF burial Now II surely NAV lee
asked what authority had he any man calling
himself Christian minister TO refuse the rites of
burial TO the worst OF sinners, Whatever the
woman's faults might have been, vengeance wreaked
on a corpse Is both futile and barbarous
There Is nothing in Christ pure and noble teach
ing that can endorse unhoy a spirit OF intolerance
one too which calculated give the bltteres pam
the living friends and relations OF the socoarsely
insulted dead and breed IN them relentless hos
ulitv the church and It's representatives For the
poorest errlng human creature that turned
the pages of the New Testament knows that such
conduct is not Christ-like inasmuch Christ had
nothing except the tenderest pity, pardon and peace
for the sinner, at the last moment. When
death steps IN 10 close all accounts, II behoOves
% be more than merciful 30 his brother " For
if We forgive their trespasses neither VIII your
Father forgive you your trespasses
Most of have met many mean little Curate,
many slv spteful. scandal-mongering hypocritical
parson, IN the daily round OF common lives and
duties Most of know the salad ~ Cleric, the
man who is a doubtful compound of oil and vinegar,
with a good deal OF tough green vegetable matter
growing where the brain should be-ooarse weed Of