New Britain herald., 1927-05-21
'REv. MR. CORRECT TITLE FOR MINISTER
"ReY. Jones" Not Proper Form
 for Introduction

What is the proper way to ad. dress a minister?
 This subject has been discussed more or less informally by min. isters in this city for the past few months. l. has ben brought up un- officially at meetings of the Protes- tant Ministers association, on streets and at social functions.
 All agree that the word "rever. end" is very much misused.
 There is very little thought used, in the opi4ion of many of the cler- gy. in titles conferred indiscrimin- ately upon ministers.
 A minister objects to being called Reverend Jones'" "Rev. Mir. Jones'" 0. Rev" John Jones'" is correct. but just plain Reverend Jones" is considered as bad form or more often carelessness.
 At a recent social function the toastmaster introduced a number of ministers in the audience as "Rev. Doe," etc.. and the incident provoked much comment the next day.
 Several local ministers were ask ed what they would think if man were to address them in that man. ner.
 If a man addressed me as Rev. Alderson.' and l gave the matter any thought at all, I'd think he was very careless" said Rev. William H. Alderson.
 Tt is a common error. but one I think is growing" said Rev. Dr. Abel A. Ahlquist, But it is incor- rect. It should be Rev. Mr.. or Rev. John Smith or his title if he has one"
 Asked what he thought of 1t, Rev. Raymond N. Gilman, replied as fol- lows:
 "The matter of name or title is not an exceedingly important one. It is the attitude and spirit of the one who is speaking that really counts.
 "In addressing or in speaking of an ordained clergyman the question frequently arises about the proper use of the title Reverend People who use only the title 'Reverend,' as Reverend Jones' desire to be re- spectful, but most ministers, I think, prefer to be addressed as plain Mir or Doctor if they hap
 .a lo tho paseocsorS of Q doc torate degree.
 When introducing clergyman it sounds much better to say: Rev. John Jones will now address us. or Meet Rev. Mir. Jones' or This is Rev. Doctor Jones' (providing he holds a doctorate degree.) Though spoken with the best Of intentions plain Rev. Jones' to the average sounds neither courteous nor respectful"
 By a peculiar coincidence, the men quoted above are members or civic clubs and among their inti- mate friends use their first names, or nicknames only. In the Rotary club, Rev. MT. Alderson is "Bill,' in the Kiwanis club, Dr. Ahlquist is Abel" while Rev. Mir. Gilman Is Ray" to the Lions.
 Honorary titles, to which min isters are justly entitled. sometimes prove embarrassing, Several local ministers, who could have titles probably if they wanted them. are called Dr." by their friends. very much to their own embarrass- ment. It puts them in the position of claiming false honors.
 On the other hand those who do have titles do not often use them. Rev. Dr. John F. Klingberg, who IS a D D., is known as Dr kllngberg to the public, but seldom calls himself Dr. Klingberg, while in the club of which he also is member. he Is known as John 
 Rev. Dr. George W. c. Hill, in- yariably in calling some one on the phone refers to himself as "Mr. Hill," while the Rev. John L. Davis |. hen in this city, although called Doc" by friends, liked nothing bet CT than to be known as John L.'