Barnum’s patriotism was one of those sincere beliefs of his which he was able to enjoy personally and to profit by financially at the same time. But his patriotism was as nothing in sincerity or value to him compared with his piety. Barnum’s personal piety was one of the greatest assets of the Greatest Show on Earth. The church had been opposed to shows, and especially to the circus, since the first circus toured America, and at one time the Methodist Church in its regulations provided that any Methodist who attended the circus automatically forfeited membership in the church. But Barnum’s show was not only attended by clergymen and their most pious parishioners, but even reviewed in most of the religious publications of the country. “That the Church should ever tolerate, patronize, or even recognize as an educator the circus,” wrote Barnum, “was a possibility that probably entered into the dreams of no man but myself, and perhaps no man but myself believed it possible to organize a circus which should respect the Church and all pertaining to it.” It was true; Barnum accomplished both these things, which combined to form one of his most valuable assets, and he alone of all showmen could have done it, because his personal reputation for piety, temperance, and abstinence was universal. Barnum forced recognition upon his clerical friends. His show was always advertised as “Barnum’s Great Moral Show.” The unobjectionable character of its performances was stressed unremittingly in its programs. And then in Barnum’s program notes each year appeared this notice: “The gentlemen having charge of my advertising department will address a letter, containing tickets, to each of the clergy of every denomination, resident in the towns where we exhibit, which will admit them and their wives, free of charge, to my entire combination of exhibitions. It sometimes happens, however, that my agents are not able to procure the names of all the resident clergy. Should any be omitted, they will receive a cordial welcome by calling either on me in person, or on my Treasurer, at the ticket wagon, any time before or during the entertainment. My exhibitions contain nothing that professed Christians do not approve.” Though he gave passes liberally to clergymen and to editors,--and for the latter he sometimes supplied transportation from their distant homes,--Barnum told others that “we never issue one to the big show except to editors, clergymen, or orphan asylums, or to persons who render us equivalent service in some way.” He had printed a card which he handed to those who bothered him for free passes, that read: FREE PASSES