THE VICAR IN GREY.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3531, 19 July 1920, Page 7

THE VICAR IN GREY.

DETAILED PLAN OF NEW CLEKI CAL UNIFORM.

"When a clergyman, with his little round hat, his long black coat, and usually baggy trousers, enters a railway carriage people edge away from him.'' I This is one of tile jfndictments brought against the customary garb of the clergy by the Rev. Basil Bourehier, vicar of St. Judcl's, Hampstead Garden Suburb. Dressed in a light grey suit of fash ionable cut, he said: "I have not I bought or worn such a melancholy o; I pensive outfit for years. 1 "The present clerical costume is

f condemned because it: i j Is freakish. Makes the clergy look like under- i I takers. [ i Has become a laughing stock on the ; I i I singe. i j Is depressing. ! Raises a barrier between priest and |

people. Is not a compulsory dross. "I have had letters from clergymen all over the country applauding my views, and I have received only one letter against my suggested 'breach of a time-honoured costume for clergy.'j Some of the letters were quite pitiful in their protest against the 'time-hon-oured costume.' "The dreary dress, in my opinion, reacts on the man who wears it and. tends to make him dreary also. Clergymen who joined the Army and got rid of their old funereal clothes, beer.mo changed and cheerful men. "The time when all the world is ■changing awl, we i<vpp. Hnproving, seems an eminently suitable time in which to start a movement for making

the clergy more attractive. "We want something brighter. „_ For myself. I think I should prefer something more on the lines of a grey uniform (I abhor black).

"I .make the following [tentative suggestions to" fellow-clergymen all over England who. like me. wish to break away from the 'time-honoured' dismal costume.

"Coat— This might be on the lines

' of a tunic, somewhat similar to thai worn by the R.A.F. officers, in grey, i with buttons of appropriate design, | say embossed with a chalice and paten. ! " Collar.—Tha present dog-coffiar I might be replaced by the ordinary lay collar, with a black tie. ! "Trousers., —These should be of the I usual Cut, with neatness as the pre- ' dominant note. "Headgear. —The ordinary service cap is the obvious thing, made in the same colour as the uniform, with a bright silver cross (Maltese) in place of the Army badge. "I have told my parishioners not to

be surprised if they meet me" one fine day clothed in this fashion. Someone must make a start.'' '