RELIGIOUS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 916, 20 September 1889, Page 7

RELIGIOUS.

CLERGYMEN’S CLOTHES. These so-called Eucharistic vestments are merely remanets (as we understand from archaeologists) of the ordinary lay dreas in earlier days, retained by the clergy J;ill they became distinctive of their office. In really primitive Christianity there was no such distinction of dress at all. Professor Hefele’s essay and Professor Cheetham’s papers (in the Contemporary for August, 1566) tell us what the clergy wore ; and in the October number of the same review we read that not till the time of Constantine did the bishopß begin to wear purple ; and not till the dark ninth ceitury the primitive white garment was laid aside by the priesthood, who followed the bishops down into the mud of sensuous display. The very names which these vestments bear betray their lay origin. The ‘pall,’ which still appears ia the arms of the Bee of Canterbury, and for which so many fierce contests raged, was, we are told,

merely a pallium or woollen comforter. The ‘ cope ’ is but a cape for rainy weather. The ‘ chasuble ’ tells of the rustics who officiated m smock frocks, to which they gave the name of chasuble or 4 my little house.’ The 4 all ’is slang Italian for a white shirt. The 4 dalmatica ’ was only a sky-blue shirt with long sleeves. The 4 rochet ’ was the bishop’s hunting-coat ; and the 4 chimere, ’ or cymor, was the satin scarf of his lady-love! -not reminiscences to be very proud of, or to which sensible men would attach serious doctrinal significance. No wonder the world is contemptuous and treats all religion as merely a question of 4 the clergyman’s clothes.’—Rock. IMMORALITY OF TOBACCO. It is rather strange that tobacco, which is, after all, the most harmless of stimulants, should be so violently hated by some good folks. Recently a prominent religious sect in America promulgated a manifesto to the following effect : ‘ Whereas the use of tobacco in any shape or form is a filthy, pernicious, and degrading habit, imperilling the health of the body and the welfare of the soul alike, leading to a laxity in living which is the sure road to intemperance and all vice ’ —and more to the same effect— 4 Therefore it is resolved that this conference will not grant ordination or license to preach to any candidate who is a victim to this debasing habit.’ How are we to regard this awful fulmination ? As smoke, most grave and reverend seigniors—nothing but smoke.— Hospital.