Letters On Clerical Manners And Habits
This is a reproduction of a book published before 1923. This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding...
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This is a reproduction of a book published before 1923. This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book.
\ LETTER XX. See that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise. Ephbs. v. 15. GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF CLERICAL MANNERS. MY DEAR YOUNG FRIEND, In pursuing the subject introduced to your view in the preceding Letter, a question presents itself, which seems to require some discussion, before we proceed to the details which are intended to occupy the following pages. The question is this—Is there any thing peculiar in the style of manners proper for a minister of the gospel ? Ought the manners of a clergyman perceptibly to differ from those of a well-bred man of a secular profession ? I think they ought. That is to say, I am clearly of the opinion that they ought to bear a stamp, in a variety of particulars, cliaracteristick of the hallowed spirit and sacred office with which they are connected. All other professional men, indeed, would be the better for having the same sort of manners Uvit I am about to recommend to ministers of the gospel; but with respect to the 1 itter, they are so indispensably necessary to the complete attainment of all those advantages which manners can impart to their possessor, that they may be said, without impropriety, to be peculiarly clerical in their nature. If I were to attempt to exhibit the peculiarity in question, I should say it max be expressed in [six words—Dignity, Gentleness. Condescension, sljfabilily, Reserve, and Uniformity. 1. Dignity. By this I mean that happy mixture of gravity and elevation in human deportment, which evinces a mind habitually thoughtful, serious, and set on high things. An air and manner opposed to levity ; opposed to that propensity to jesting, which is so often manifested by some who bear the sacredoffice ; opposed to what is grovelling; opposed, in short, to every species of lightness or...
