Should Parsons Wear Black ?

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 80, 28 December 1935, Page 18

Should Parsons Wear Black ?

THERE has been a very lively discusssion in the “Churchman” of America as to why the clergy wear black, and it has been running for some time. Two advocates for black thus sum up the matter from their point of view. ’The Rev. John R. Crosby writes : — “I take it that the deflate reasons we hidebound conservatives wearblack may be listed in the order named as “1. Tradition. “2. A certain respect for ecclesiastical law and canon, that may be ridiculous in this day and age, but that some of us, laughable as it may seem, still hold in a certain reverence. “3. The point of view that seems essential to many of us, although a perfectly justifiable subject for debate, that it is just as well for the clergy to be distinguished from the laity, and that the restraint imposed upon otherpeople by the presence-of a uniformed ecclesiastic clad iu symbolic and sober black is not a bad thing even in a third-class steamer or pullman car.

“4. That the wearing of black is a useful reminder to its wearers that they have definitely renounced certain customs and amusements of the outside world and are ‘priests for ever after the order of Melcbsedek,’ and not only when formally engaged in the execution of their office, or attending ecclesiastical functions.

“No canon or legislation of any branch of the Universal Church that J know expects its clergy io wear formal clerical attire while engaged in purely

recreational pursuits such as golf, or any kind of athletics. Even the extremist Catholics remove their collars in bed, and while bathing, and I understand comparatively few bishops sleep in purple pyjamas.

“As a matter of fact, the canons of our Anglican communion are extremely liberal, and like most ecclesiastical law animated by plain commonsense. The latter, of course, does not always appeal to extremists whether Catholic or Liberal. All our canons, synods, and official utterances from the .-.car 442 until the present day insist, on -the clergy being clad in sober, ami, to quote Laud, ‘grave coloured raiments’ as a symbol of the gravity and soberness of mien that ought to distinguish a steward of the mysteries of religion. This hue has through the ages been generally black, or to quote the language of the canons ‘subfusc’ or dark.

“These are the reasons that animate me in the wearing of black, and, I believe, inspire the majority of my confreres.”

“Black is not nearly the gloomy colour (hat many seem to think it,” writes the Rev. H. Robert Smith. “When masculinity prepares for the gaiety cf tlio ballroom or the wedding breakfast he dons black. Black is the greatest repeater among the fashions for women. Even in evening gowns black is prescribed by the best shops iu Paris more often 'than any other single colour.

“Every woman knows this to be a good maxim: when in doubt wear biack. Daffodils are truly wonderful, but have you ever seen daffodils before a background of beautiful black?”