The Washington herald., 1910-01-30

VI Sie literary WOIlQ WLO themselves uii-
derstand the necessities and demands Of
literary labor. and the renewal Of mental
and spiritual powers by time spent in
meditation and introspection.
Mr.. Henry B. F. Macfarland. OF the
firm OF Tucker. Kenyon & mcfarland
as he styles himself though he will have
a hard time living down the more ia
milar title Of our Commissioner, says:
Il have read with much interest the
article on the need Of a Sabbath for the
clergymen. II is an imperative need II
is recognized in other cities by pastors
who regularly take a day Of rest in the
week and guard Il as carefully as their
own health, believing it to be as impor-
tant to their charges. Suicide Is as bad
in clergymen as in laymen. Between
enthusiasm 70 their devotion and unwiI-
ingness to ask anything for themselves,
most clergymen do not obey the Fourth
Commandment as they should. In order
that all may do so, the laymen OF the
churches must take the matter I'd. re-
curing the cIergymen to take e day Of
rest each week and arrange for IL as
definitely as for the salary the church
pays. 1t should be made a matter OF
| business, for nothing could be more prac-
teal or necessary. Washington has suf-
fered severely in the loss OF noble clergy
men, and if the laymen OF a church will
not take the necessary steps. public opin-
Ion OF the community ought to force them
| to do So"
Mr.. Thomas Nelson Page, who is hard
| ly less admired for his active and ssne
interest in all matters pertaining to the
church at large than for his brilliant
| literary attainment. writes: 7 do not
/ yet know very much about the practica-
| bility Of a plan TO arrange for a Sabbath
for the clergy, but I am heartily IN ae-
cord with anything that viii help 20 lit
/ the burden from the shoulders Of the poor
clergy anywhere and everywhere. Ny
| recent book. John Marvel was. IN 2
way, written upon this idea. and
| thought Of defeating it 70 the poor as
sistants and country clergy Of the land"
| Mrs. Lillian Resell Messenger. whose
books Of poems are TO be supplemented by
a very important prose work as mentioned
/ IN The Washington Herald q few weeks
ago. ceased her work on the proofs TO
write about the need Of q rest day for
the clergy as follows:
That the pastor and the priest. giving
forth the spiritual bread Of life. should
have one day OF seven, as his very own.
in which to dwell apart alone with only
the silence Of the Creator, and his own
soul seems neither impractical nor ITO
pedn. The blessed Christ sci the exam
pie. and took time for communing. for
strength, IN the silence that sleeps among
the lonely hills After such refreshing
calm and rest David also exclaimed: The
hills. whence COmeth my rest
THE spiritual worker needs that dav
Of utter calm. and peace. when he MAJ
almost hear the music-tides on the other
side OF Silence. and realize that the
Psalmist meant IN his sublime concep-
ton; He maketh the outgoings OF the
morning and evening 70 rejoice
IN the varied activities, though noble
and divine. that attach 70 the modern
minister's duties. there IS danger in going
/ beyond human limitations. In regard 10
conserving the souls spiritual strength
and forces. a great English poet has given
forth some noble words Of warning 10 all
mankind that even the highest should
heed:' viz, The world IS too much with
/ US; late and soon.
Getting and spending, We lay waste
our powers In the words we lay waste
/ our powers there lies a volume Of mean
ing"
Miss NolIie Elliot SeaweII, whose factis
pen has put forth best sellers" for the
enjoyment Of many. classes Of readers, has
given the Unnecessary hardship in the
life Of the priesthood much serious study;
she writes on the subject in connection
with their need for "a rest day. all their
own" as follows:
THE life Of a priest IS the life Of a SOL
der He Is expected TO die at his post,
and no matter how dangerous that post
may be. when he drops. another one
stands ready 10 take his place. such IS
the history Of the Catholic priesthood all
over the world There are. however. some
notifications which might be made I'm tie
life Of a priest. One IS, as regards fast
ing. The regulations for fasting were
made nearly nineteen hundred years ago,
IN different climate under different con-
ditions. The priest Of to-day has 20 follow
them. Besides the abstinence from meat
on Friday. which is not q special hard
ship. comes forty days IN Lent when a
---Trr 7yrrr- -
duty. IS only half nourished. No change
in this will come quickly, for the mere
inertia OF so vast an organization as the
Catholic Church makes all change slow.
But ii ought 10 come, ana it may come
in the course Of ages.
so it is with extremely early rising.
Most priests rise at o'clock. and say
mass fasting. at g. The Jesuits rise
at from the beginning Of their novi-
tate This IS in accordance with the
habits Of life Of 500 years ago. To-day all
those habits are changed, but the rule
remains the same. The change. II Il
comes, must come through the protests Of
the laity. for no priest will complain any
more than a good soldier will complain
Of his orders.
Less fasting and later rising would
lengthen the lives and strengthen the
health Of secular priests and OF the reli-
gious orders both Of men and women all
over the world"
DR.. William Cabell Rives. who IS a
member of the vestry Of the Church OF
the Ascension, ard whose practical In
terest in all matters for the good OF the
cause" and spread of religion. IS demon
strated by his gift last week Of a chapel
TO the colored people Of the city, says:
Il do not think that a minister breaks
the spirit OF the Fourth Commandment