The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1867-12-18
For THE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.
Manners of the Pew.
NO. I.

directions for avoiding disorder in th'
churches, and sums up by saying: "Le
all things be done decently and IN order.
In this injunction it is implied that there
are certain proprieties and decencie'
which belong to the house of God, anc
which those who worship him ought tc
observe. This injunction of course COW
ers all the ground touched in the context
but it may also be made to cover great
many minor points which decency may
require, or which may be seen to com.
port with the proper order of the sanctu'
airy.
While | shall endeavor to discuss grave
oddd1 iiiiff 4,llAesPies In these num-
bers, l shall endeavor to show their
bearing on the minor details of deport-
ment in the house of God.
One of the first essentials to good or
der in church is the punctual and prompt
attendance Of the congregation. In many
neighborhoods it is common for the con-
gregation to be interrupted with comers
and goers, until the very doxology. In
many more the males congregatein groups
out of doors to discuss the crops or the
news of the week, and very few can be
induced to enter church till the service
has actually begun. To all of these the
invocation of heavens blessing on the
a0aiting congregation is lost, and they
come in for no share in its benefits unless
the minister especially includes the out
siders in his petition-an act of doubtful
propriety; for it would be construed into
an indirect reproof of others, while en-
gagged in the act of confessing our own
sinfulness. Reproo and rebuke are pro-
per in their place, but do not constitute
the act of self. denial. This was the case
of the Pharisee in the temple.
The singing of the first hymn is usually
the bell to call in these outside groups
and it is plain that the consequent disor-
der destroys the spirituality of that part
of the service. Many however stumble
in during the reading of the Scriptures.
No one but the reader can fully appre-
ciate the effect of this disturbance upon
this most important exercise. In most
cases in country congregations, the read
ing of the Scriptures is rendered almost in
vain as part of worship, from this cause
alone In cry -churehes,- the bell, the
smooth hingesof theAlside doors, and the
soft carpets are partial sntidote for the
evils of unpunctuality; while in the cass.'
try churches the clumsy fastenings, and
the creaking hinges (requiring perhaps
the assistance of some one inside to affect
an entrance at all after the door has been
shut, and the naked floors resounding
with every awkward step, all combine to
render the entrance of even one unpunc-
tual man no slight disturbance to the SER
vice; to say nothing of the wintry blast
thus permitted to sweep the aisle, or Of
the dogs so frequently found at the doors
ready to follow their masters to the in
side. By the way, these church-going
dogs are never-ending source of diver
sion to the boys, disturbance to the sober
part of the congregation, and annoyance
to the minister. The writer is pain
fully acquainted with one which is very
well behaved, until the singing COM
mences, when he is sure to join in with
that peculiar howl which every planta.
ton man has heard from the hounds
when the horn blows for dinner. To all
owners of church going dogs we recon-
mend the example of the Philistine
priests, who yoked the kline to the cart
which bare the Ark of the Covenant
See | Samuel vi: 10.
But to return; it often happens that
some conner makes his entrance Just as
the minister is giving out his text; and
such is the sensation and diversion pro-
duced by the entree, that more than one
half of the congregation do not hear the
text at all, though it be twice repeated
1t is not too much to say that those who
enter church late, not only lose the SER
uice themselves, but deprive many Others
of the blessed privilege of pro6ting by it
Now what is the reason for so much
tardiness? 1t is often extenuated anC
somewhat palliated by the pleas of dis
crepant time pieces, carelessneSs of ser
wants in preparing meals, equpages, &c.
but the evil lies much deeper | fear
There is a widespread and prevailing in
difference to the so-called preparatory ser
vices. The sermon is exalted at the ex
pense of the service. There is sort o
latent, half lfformed, yet potent impression
that the singing, reading, and prayer arr
a sort of necessary, disagreeable part o
the performance, to be bridged as well a
possible, or endured till the sermon be
gins, like the tuning of an orchestra pre-
paratory to sweet music and entertain
ment. To all such the sermon itself i
of no value, unless it panders to falls
taste, and is rich with something else thai
the :. truth I" in Iesns. ANY man VIII