Delaware State journal and statesman. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1855-1870, 1867-03-15


Under this caption The fearless and able
editor of the New York Methodist tells lew
sad truths respecting the conduct OF certain
persons who frequent our churches on INC
Sabbath day. Beginning at the door with
his remarks, he pays his compliments hrs'
TO what the children would call the stare
cats'' who infest the pavement and vesupule
of the sanctuary. He says:-
"Groups of young men arc sometimes
seen standing in front OF n church, swinging
their flexible canes, smoking cigars, taking
loudly. and annoying with side-long glances
or imnertinent stare the ladies who are COM
nelled to mass them while entering OF leaving
The place of worship. We have even known
these gallant gentlemen to stand on INC slue,
walk in double row, facing each other' anu
thus compel all who attend the sanctuary 10
run the gauntlet of their eyes; and TINS, no.
on an exceptional occasion, but as geheral
practice kept up for years. -,
"When such people go inside the church
their conduct corresponds to their behavior
without. They converse freely at any Tune
of the solemn services, unless posltvely
checked by a rebuke from the pulpit; they
eniov lunch at such time as suits them, as
many yexed sexton can testify, from the
heans of nut shells and apple cores ne Is
obliged to sweep up; they deposit l,ltnY
pools of tobacco on the floor; anG, IN snort
make themselves a complete nuisance 10 all
decent neople. And yet every man of them
would feel insulted ii you should intimate
that he is not gentleman.
Amer a few well.timed and suggestive oh
seryations on the conduct of another class
of worshippers he thus turns to the pews
and administers agentle rehukc in TINS wise
GA very common evidence of irreyerenc'
is seen in many churches toward inc clos'
of the service, in the indecent haste mani
tested by many of the worshnpers (Tl to &c
ready for leaving the place. During IN
singing of tho closing hymn or even VIM
j the solemn benedicton is pronounced, oVei
+. coats are put on, bonnets, turs, and glove
are adjusted, and, not unlrequeniiy, AZ III
last those nearest the aisle, STAND WIN hea
c reyerently bowed. while one hand is on u
Y new door. and one foot in the aisle, read
n for n start as soon as amen falls on the
. ear from the sacred desk. 1t IS only III
u" everyday practice of the ferry shp iran
ferred TO the church ON the Sabbath"
I, The editor next turns 10 the pulpit an
nj delivers the following reprimand, gently
he admit but nevertheless firmly, and with
he well-merited.-
nj tHave laymen in the pews never seen "
IL or more preachers in the pulpit, talking, n
m. simply about the necessary arrangements
the services, but about something mat cre'''
fo- nm animated discussion, and sometimes ey
at provokes a smileg And are not nulW's
US well as galleries, sometimes defiled W
,ro tobacco? Have we not occasionally SC
class rooms, and lecture room of the chur
III in which an annual conference was siltlr
ess darkened and defiled with clouds OF tobat
la smoke pulled by ministerial lipsf We
treading on delicate ground, we know;
VIC write for the honor of Him who has So
res aye shall reverence my sanctuary"