Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-01-21
By CASPAR NAMES

Helifioue news kditor OF Inc ctAf
1.-THE dean of an Episcopal ca
thedrai is a peculiar minister"
one of them said this week at
the College Of Preachers. He is
neither a bishop nor a rector. and
is a rather in-between person.
That is why the fellowship of
other deans is a most welcome
occasion"
Last week 80 deans from 80
States spent three days and two
nights talking over mutual prob
lens at the College of Preachers,
Washington Cathedral.
They came from Los Angeles
and Spokane. Wash: from Or
lando. Fla, and Portland, Me-,
and from Houston, Tex, and
Cleveland. Ohio. For more than
4S hours in a pleasantly relaxed
atmosphere they sat around dis
cussing the many facets of their
peculiar job.
Deans are asked to do all kinds
Of civic as well as church chores,
the Very Rev. Philip McNairy of
Buffalo, observed. They are asked
to speak at Community Chest.
Boys Club. Red Cross. federation
Of churches and other gather
ings. Recently Dean McNairy
spoke to an engineering group
on the Human Side of Engi-
neering."
Little Time to Read
A major problem which deans,
administration officers Of cathe-
drals. face is that of leisure time
to read. That is a matter of
serious concern to them. for they
are supposed to keep abreast of
church and other writings even
while carrying a terrific load of
activities.
Arranging special events is still
another task dropped into the
lap Of deans. These may vary
from a service of dedication to
services performed for veterans
and industries.
This is the third meeting of
deans at the College of Preach
ers. In addition to the hours of
fellowship. they heard many top
leaders in Congress and Govern
ment discuss pressing public is
sues. This opportunity to learn
at first hand from these officials
will serve them well during the
year, many said.
How to Be Helpful
The first job DR.. Graham
Lacey. popular minister of Gen.
trail Presbyterian Church, held
after his ordination was that of
assistant to the minister Of the
Franklin Street Presbyterian
Church in Baltimore.
Several weeks after he re-
ceived the post, the then young
Rev. Mr.. Lacey met his new boss
In the church.
what are you doing here?"
the minister asked.
Why" the new clergyman
answered, Il am your new as
sistant."
so you are. so you are" the
pastor hurriedly said. "Well, see
that you keep out Of my way
And of he went.
Learned His Lesson
! The same minister, a noted
preacher who refused to. 60 to
the homes Of church members.
was finally prevailed upon by
the offlcial board to change his
ways.
So one day he decided to stop
of at the home of a prominent
member. He marched with great
dignity to the house, knocked
on the door. and watched it open.
The rather elderly wife of
the member stood in the door,
way. She took one look at the
minister, gasped. and promptly
tainted.
1t was later learned why this
totally unexpected reaction &C.
CURED. The lady knew the min
lister for many years, and knew
OF his adamant refusal to visit
members. So when he appeared
at her home. she was sure only
bad news about her husband
brought him.
That was the minister's first
and only call.
Measures Up
How to debate the ego of a
preacher. One pastor recalls that
a little boy in his congregation
once told him. II sure like your