Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Mass.) 1828-1830, 1828-06-03
ron THE LANCASTER GAZETTE.

FOR THE LANCASTER GAZETTE.
MEssRs. EDIToRs,-I saw communica-
ton in your last paper under the signature
of " Brevity," remarking upon the practice
of the young mems standing in the porch,
before the commencement of publick wor-
ship on Sundays. was glad to see it.
Permit me to enlarge little on this brerity.
The author is right as far as he goes, but,
being young man, would inform him that
his structures are too narrow-that the prac-
tice he complains of, instead of being con-
fined to young men, extends to those Of ripper
years, and to females, too-old, middle-aged,
and young. Indeed it is the very disease of
the times. 1t is easier to point out those
who do not fall into this practice than those
who do. 1t is altogether inconsistent with
the feelings that the sabbath ought to in
spire, with the spirit Of the day, to collect
together in the porch in groups to shake
hands with every one, to talk over some
common subjects, to scan, it may be, the
character or appearance of your neighbour,
and thus Danish from the mind every thing
like devotion. A lady walks over the green
towards the church; as soon as she appears
in sight she is the object of attention
of the crowd looking towards her at the
entrance; or if she rides she is equally
stared at on alighting. Then comes the
trial. She has reached the steps, and is
obliged as she can to force her way
through the congregated multitude, and re-
ceive on every side whole volleys of eye shot,
no very comfortable thing for those who are
not particularly ambitious of observation,
and of being made the marx, perhaps the
re-mark,-of every idler around. But this
is not ALL for, having fought her way through
the host of men-folk in the outer porch, she
encounters in the inner porch those of her
own sex, grouped together for the same vain
purposes as the other sex. Alas this is as
bad as the former, for here she experiences
suffering from the piercing eyes of her own
sex: the person, gown, bonnet, general APP
pearance, gait, &C., all pass under the search
ing, critical review of damsels whose curl
osity is never idle, and who, when they re-
turn home, can descant fuently on every
new dress or ornamental ribbon that makes
its appearance. Why, Sirs, for female of
any modesty, this is too outrageous. This
is running the gauntlet with a.witness-no
one escapes unscathed, all are touched who
endeavour to 60 quietly along. 1t is not
right to make the entrance to Gods temple
like theatre, or the corner of a street, where
the frivolous collect to gaze upon and quiz
every thing that passes, or like an Exchange,
a place to tell or to hear some ne,U thing. Oh,
reform this altogether, all you who practice
it; let the complaints that have been made,
siso petty suffering thaC has DSo44-s~-s---:..->l
so often, and so long, be no longer known.
Let this disappear with other ancient prac-
tees that have been swept away by the in
creasing refinement of the times. Stand
not in the outer or inner porch to stare those
out of countenance who pass by you, but
rather follow their example, and as soon as
you reach the church go to your pew, and
there quietly await the morning and evening
service. A YOUNG MAN.