New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-07-14
Two Historic Pulpits.

~ Vi those present at the coronation
VI AIns George and Queen Mary in West
munster ABBEY paid much attention to the
p"ipt from which the Archbishop OF York
lhe second greatest dgnitary Of the Church
VI England. preached the brief coronation
sermon Yet IL was we'll worthy Of more
Care1ui observation. For. built entirely
or oak brought for the purpose from
Windsor Forest by road to London. near
~ four hundred years ago. il was used
Tor the crowning OF King Edward VI IN
Westminster Abbey. in l54S 1t is a beauti-
ful piece Of old oak carving. and. curt
ously enough. was lost before the aces
sion to the throne Of that young monarch's
sister and successor, Bloody Mary" being
stored away in some nook or Granny Of
that maze of vaults which. several tiers
deep. and dating from times long prior TO
the Norman Conquest extend in every d.
rection under the Abbey. Dean Stanley
began the work of exploration of these
vaults, and made many discoveries Of great
interest. After his death the work was al
lowed 10 lapse. and was not resumed until
the Very Rev. DR. Armytage Robinson.
celebrated as a historian as we'll as a d.
vine, became Dean of Westminster
Three years ago this pulpit Of Edward
VI was brought 70 light. its history estab-
lished by the records still among the Abbey
archives regarding the price paid for its
workmanship, and IL was selected. by the
Dean, with the consent of King George, as
particularly appropriate for use al the lat
ters coronation. II is superior in artistic
value 10 the still more ancient oaken pull
pit in use to this day in ST. Georges
chapel. Windsor Castle, and which, fash
Toned OF oak from Windsor Forest. dates
from the reign OF Edward III. Its style
is distinctly Gothic
Strictly speaking. pulpits should have no
place IN Christian churches. as they are Of
Mahometan origin. the earliest examples
recorded being the tubs. fastened upon
the tops of poles forming a sort Of crows
nest. from which the Ulema of Mecca and
OF Cairo were wont 10 address the follow
ers Of the Prophet that thronged the
MOSQUES every Friday Perhaps one Of
the reasons why pulpits were retained after
the Reformation In England was the fact
that they enable the preacher 10 deliver
his discourse comfortably seated, which
was more agreeable to him than having
TO stand on the altar steps, and 10 preach
from thence in much more impressive
and digniied manner.
In former days the clergy would not only
Sit and lounge in the pulpit while preach
ing. but would actually smoke. Thus.
Launcelot Blackburn. Lord Archbishop or
York and Primate Of England, who was
famous as a buccaneer, or, according 10
some. as a pirate, before entering holy
orders. is on record as having interrupted
his sermon on. the occasion OF his hold
ing a confirmation. at ST. Marys, Noting
ham 10 order the church wardens 10 bring
I'D fresh pipes and q fresh supply OF TO-
becco TO the pulpit Dean Swift, OF ST.
Patricks Cathedral, at Dublin. was wont
IN smoke through his entire sermon, occa-
sionally refreshing himself with glass
NJ mort. while Bishop Duncan. Of Dundee
is described by contemporaries as having
been so mean and avarcous hat ne was
accustomed 70 make a practice OF coming
70 church without his tobacco pouch ana
tben after ascending the pulpit. Of inquir-
ing who among the congregation would De
v-iIline 10 accommodate him with theirs
II il from these days too, tnat cate
those delightful. old-tashioned peWs IN the
Frgl,sh country churches, fitted up with
curtains cushions. freplaces, pokers ana
,o,zs where the squire slept and smoked
avav the entire length Of the sermon.
MARQUIsE DE FONTENol.