A WITTY CLERGYMAN.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1378, 2 March 1912, Page 13

A WITTY CLERGYMAN.

Father Stanton, of St. Albans, Holborn, ono of the best known of Anglican High. Churchmen, says, in the "Christian Commonwealth:—"l am sev-enty-three, and I want to bo allowed quietly to slow down into tho terminus. Here is a skit reminiscent of the ntua-. listic controversy in which Fathor Stanton and Father Mackonochie were involved— "Stanton, with hyacinthine locki, 1 Boro a portable Confession box; Whilo Father Mac, in purple vest, Was looking his very illegallest." According to Dame Gossip, a parishioner once asked whether the use of incense and processional lights at St. Albans was quito "wise" under existing circumstances, and Father Stanton' 'replied: "There are only too classes of persons who are emphatically termed 'wise in the New Testament—the 'Wise Men,' wbx> offered incense and_ the 'Wise Virgins' who'carried processional lights." Another story is that a visitor to St. Alban's having confessed that he- liked tho service, but objected to the incense, Father Stanton gravely remarked, "I am very sorry, my friend." "Why?" asked tho stranger. ,'Well, you see, there are only two stinks in the next world—inconso and brimstone— and you'll have to choose between them." When tho report of tho Royal Commission was published, Father Stanton was besieged by journalists. One of, them Bald: "They are going to turn you out of the Church, rev. father!" Ho replied: "I don't care a brass farthing!" r 'What shall you do?" "Sell cat's meat?" "Can I put that in?"- "Certainly, if you like!"