The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1855-03-16
MISCELLANY.
FOR THE INDEPENDENT PRESS. |
Some Things not Comely.

Ao AAAiuSo iiOC SOHelY.
Messrs. Editors :-F1Rsr.--Thc first uu
comely thing we mention is, a man listening
to sermon with his head between his knees
1T is indicative of pain or some great dis.
satisfaction. Heads up, in church, is the
most becoming posture, and indicates inter
est on the part Of a listener. A downcast
look indicates guilt. ~
'Second.--To seea youay man pairing his
finger nails, whiting sticks, and such like, in
time OF divine service, is disgusting in the
extreme, and indicates great want of home
culture, reverence for the sanctuary, and Il
chaste mind. 1t is decidedly vulgar en-.
ploymcnt for the time and place.
4hird.-A practice no less becoming the
place of divine service, and the services OF
Gods house is, the Whispering and laughing
Sometimes to be seen in the sanctuary, and
sometimes by persons we should otherwise
Minh graceful. We think person may
whisper with great psorriety at the proper
time, and proper place, but never IN preuch-
'ng, nor in time of preaching.
Fourth.-Itis not comcly to sec ii young
lady Or gentleman come into the churcI,
after the services have commenced. especially
the sermon. lthas the appearance of wish,
ing to be seen, if not desire to be looked
at. Early to church, rain or slime. should
be The motto Of a church going people.
FitM.-It is not comelv in church, to sec
people, after the bcncdiclion is pronounced,
crowding into tic aisIcs, talking and laugh
ing, and exchanging the common civilitics
of life in merry glee-it savors too much of
vacant mind, or mind unimpresscd bv
the services just concluded. The best plan
is to be out and off, as soon rs convenient,
and not make a court green of the church.
Sirth.-It is not a comely sight to see
Mt country church grouped together in
various places in the church grove, or yard,
conversing upon common worldly topics, as
a preparation for the services they have pro-
tessedly asscmblcdto engage in. Had they
not better be in church praying for their
pastor, or singing the heaven inspiring songs
of Zion, or ,neditating upon divine truth
So, the same uncomely sight is not unfre-
quenly seen i'll some of our village churches
c'oDd at the door, until they hear the voice
OF the minister, if he does not achisper, read
ing the first hymn.
.SeuenM.-Anothcr very uncon,ely thing
to bo noticed is---that the sound of the
church going bell is not regarded by many
Just as the last bell commences ringing, &
majority have but just taken their seats al
the supper table, as though the bells tollings
were summons to come to supper, and no
to church. We should not cause the time
of divine service to serve our appctitcs, bu
our appctites to accommodate the hour O
religious worship.
EigAM.-Another and not the least UNI
comely thing to be seen is, man or woman
sleeping in church, instead Of dcibcratel,
sleeping at home upon their beds. There
is great ease and refrcslmcnt in sleeping
upon good bed, it is an appropriate place
for such exercise, but this sleeping in pew
and especially without cushion, as is Otter
the case, and more especially surrounded by
crowd to look at us, and observe how yer,
interesting we appear, marking time will
ourhead instead of our feet, is not rs comel,
sight as beholding the ship, Amer;cu
Z, coming into port under full canvass. Thi
latter is beautiful. r:
NinM.-Another uncomeyy thing is, t
see two thirds of the congregation sitting 0
standing, as the case may be, with scale,
lips and still tongues, while the other thir
engage in celebrating Gods praise in Zion
! fsangss Isi.bseaa.e+ fhey;kass no q lneloi
sthsit a ~ t ssssss they have n
-ssiest far ssaf sdacing discosi
gNfSfs EtcarEl ',,ssf a. q r'--.'l. 49,
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