Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1837-08-10
We extract the following from periodical
entitled the Churchman-[by request.
CHRISTIAN POLrTENE55 IN CHURCH.
"BE COURTEOUS"

| CHRISTIAN POLfTENE55 IN CHURCH.
"BE COURTEOUS"
Such will all be who have the spirit OF
Christ. II has often been remarked that lint
spirit tends TO polish the outward, as well us
to sanctiIy the inward man,-to make those
meek and gentle and kind in their behavior,
who were naturally the reverse.-And If
there be one place more than another where
Christian courtesy should be conspicuous
surely it ought to be in the House of God
There is reason to fear, however, that some
times lis exercise is forgotten. | speak not
Of that courtesy which we sometimes see
there, but which is most unseemly in tho
House Of Prayer-the smiles and the bows
which arc exchanged as people enter or leave
1.-THE "hop do ye do's"-the shaking of
hands--and how is Mrs. b. to. day and all the
little onCs?--or such leanngs over pews as
we see as soon as the service is over, with
the audible whisperings Of show dreadful
cold the church is to-day!'-"what long
sermon we have had"-"what a beautiful
bonnet Miss G. has on!'-"is the packet
coming" &c. These things seem to betray
ignorance that the "Lord is in Mis place." and
the sooner such courteses are stopped the
better. In solemn silence should we rise
from our knees when the service is ended.
after asking the Divine blessing on what has
been said, and the Divine forgiveness for
what has been amiss; and in silence retire
from the presence ofthc great Jehovah-pon-
dering on Ills word that has been read and
preached in our ears.
But by the exercise Of Christian politcncss
in the church, to which allude, mean that
attention to the accommodation of others,
especially of strangers, which is so becoming,
but the absence of which is sometimes coni-
planned ofin our congrega,ion.-How painful
1t is to see a stranger enter a church and
stand in the aisle, or walk slowly through it,,
vainly hoping for the Christian courtesy Of
seeing pew door opened to receive him and
enable him to join in the worship Of God.-
Still more painful is il to see owners of pews
so tenacious of their property as to turn out
those who may have vcntured to enter in
where vacant seat appeared and either
drive them from the church, or leave. them to
beg from door to door for the charity which
they have denied. Surely it cannot be con-
sidercd how thereby the feelings Of Il fellow
Christian are wounded; it cannot be remem-
bered that God is no respecter Of persons,
and that He is the owner of every pew and
Of every owner, and cannot be pleased when
the hum5lest worshipper in His courts is re.
fused place there. 1t cannot be considered
that in driving persons from our pews we
may be driving them from the last opportunity
they would have had Of hearing that Word
which is able to save their souls. If the
heart is filed with the right spirit. will we
not give up our own seat and look for accom-.
modaton from a friend, or even stand in the
aisle ourselves, rather than hurt the feelings
Of the meanest brother or sister, or be the
means Of deprving them Of on opportunity
Of Divine worship, which may be their last,
and must be Of great importance TO their sal
vation.