Muscatine journal. [volume] (Bloomington, Iowa) 1849-185?, 1853-10-07
MAHIN e GLEN EMS.
A New Lcaa.

With a view to make our paper uscfu
as well as instructive, we have concluded
to substitute for the sermons of ssHalo'' 4
few communications from IIERvEY on the
necessity of tho observance in our public
assemblies of the MINOR GRAcEs-or, as a
learned divine was wont to call it, CHRIS.
rIAN BREEDING. Any one who is in the
habit of attending any Of our churches
where seats are free, or any other place Of
public resort, will acknowledge the necessity
Of The observance of some such rules as
will be found in the series of articles we
propose to insert. All, we say, will aknowl-
edgeit for reasons that all have suffered more
or less from that selfish rudeness, which it
seems is the objec, Of our corresr ondsnt to
Some excellent Christians are prompt to
execute large schemes Of benevolence, but
slow to perform the little Offices of kind
ness. Others are more careful to avoid
the dissimulation of che polite than the Of
fensiveness of the rude. Others again are
attentive to the inward man while they neg.
lect the outward, and are more intent on
detecting hateful thoughts than practising
amiable virtues. It is not to be denied that
these are the delinquencies of some who
are eminent in godliness i: they are delin-
quences nevertheless. We should consider
that those improprieties of conduct which
render us offensive to one another are Of
tentimes displeasing to God. Robert Hall,
in conversation with friend, once remark.
ed: "Again, sir, there is Mr.. - how
uncouth be is, sir why, sir, that behavior
would not do in the worlI he cannot be
aware how offensive it is, or certainly as a
religious man he would eudeavor to correct
it. Many persons forget, sir, that these
are Christian precepts: Be courteous,
tender and kind -hearted.'o
o,iss as eDEroRrMENT AT CHURCH.
Due regard for order bids us be attentive
should studiously observe most of the fol-
lowing usuages:
When you approach the doors of church
refrain from conversation, and uncover
your head as soon as you enter the aisle,
advancing with quiet aud moderate step.
On the one hand, avoid walking as though
you were in. a funeral procession; and
on the other, as though you were walking
for a wager. You should not 90 to your
pew during any exercise Of devotion. Some
do not scruple to hurry along the aisle
while the Congregation is engaged in PRAYER
or to march to the time of sacred song, dis
turbing its harmonies with their noisy feet.
Al ays take the shortest wav to your pew.
nnless this requir s you to walk the entire
length o. the middle aisle when it is
proper to take a side aisle, though
You should thereby be compelled to 60 far
ther in reaching vour pew. j. you arc ne
eompnnying lady to church, permit her to
go before and open doors; if accompanying
her out, go before and open doors. If the
lady is your superior, both in coming in
and going out you open the door of the
hous2, and that of the pew, allowing her to
20 before you, following at her left hand.
In opening a door for her, avoid, if possi-
bic, passing between her and it, and turning
your back toward her. Observe the same
rule with gentleman who is your superior.
This rule is especially observed by SER
wants, and, on occasions Of ceremony, by
others.
1t is proper for you, as we'll as the sex
ton, to offer your arm to any aged or inirm
lady OF your acquaintance who may be en-
.terlng the church unattended, and to ac-
company her to her pew. u 3gEa
Ii you are under the disagreeable neces
sity of passing person who is sitting or
standing in slip, present to him Meth or
your "a nor your breast, but your side !;
the narrowness of the passage is scarcely
an apology for violation of this dictate of
propriety. If q gentleman is seated in a
slip, he should arise, open the door and
pass out, when lady presents herself for
admission, which she ought to do by simply
touching the top Of the door, without an
effort to open it, or exhibiting any uneasi-
ness, for this would sometimes be interpfe-
tedasarsbuke for the tardiness If the occu-
pant, who would perhaps, at such hint,
stumble out to relieve her impatience, or
resentfully remain in his seat, and allow the
conner to help herself to one. None but a
lame or decrepit gentleman should suffer
lady to open the door of . slip and seat
herself next to it, or to crowd past him to
the other end of the seat.
Make as little noise as possible in open
ipg and shutting the pew door. Enter and
retire from q pew deliberately. Never
place your hat in the aisle, if there is room
in the pew. ases, 8ikANHsA
Always be seated in your pew before the
hour OF Worship. With view to this, be
dressed on. hour or two, before the bell
rings. Even put on your gloves before 60
ing into the street. The want Of few
minutes just previous to church time, oc-
easions blnnders and accidents which dis
compose the mind, and disturb Divine wor-
ship. 81 80 s
When you happen to be in your seat some
time before service, abstain from bows,
shaking hands, congratulating, talking,
Whispering, or gazing curiously or vacantly
round the room, but sit quietly. and occupy
your mlnd with subjects suitable to the
piace. A silent ejaculation should be Of
tered as soon as you take your seat. If
you arc o gentleman, and lady, or your
superior, or a feeble person is standing in
q crowded aisle, rise and offer such an one
your seat
When the hour Of service arrives, give
your entire attention to the introductory
part of the worship. Do not accustoin
youseH to wrigglng, or seeking and an easy
posture at the moment the service begins.
II person in your pew, or in one near
you, has no book, offer him one of yours II
1t IL . lady, the book should be presented
open, vt the proper place. In summer, if a
person near you has no fan, offer him yours.
Tnrn over the leaves of your book, and re-
turn it to the book k-rack without noise.
when you assume tho various postures
the service requires, do it deliberately,
without uuy rustIing starting mr. fourishnv