The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1868-01-08

y -
/; gagged in the app 7priate duties of tn
hour.
The men very roperly enter the hous
! with the head unco oered in token of rever
ence; why not obsrve the same habit il
leaving the house? many congregation.
the hats are in place upon the head in al
incredibly short space of time after the
amen of tlr benediction. Thi.
: ought hardly to b. for if there be any
good reason for Towering the head al
all, it ought to renain uncovered nnti
fairly out of the louse.
Some things mbat also be suggested
with profit to may, on the place and
manner of sitting The pew system is
greatly preferabl, in many respects, Civ
ing the regular colgregationregular seats.
and allowing fauilsto sit together. In
!. many parts Of y atgsl., -h0s.xsss.-thls
system is not pre,;Nnt, much prejudice
existing against it. 1 shall therefore take
churches as find item. 1t is too COM
mon for the first coner to sit close to the
end of the pew, and require every one
else to pass (oftenNith serious difficulty, J
to fill the inner seats. Parents should
keep their children near them if possible,
and not allow them to straggle off the
back seats or the-salleries, where they
are almost sure to fall into disorderly
conduct A promiscuous congregation
will arrange itself on principles of affini-
ty, few of the more devout near the
pulpit, with mapy vacant seats in that
part of the house, while the back seats
are crowded with the young and the care
less. Almost all the disorder occurs
among this class ia this part of the
church. The same persons would never
misbehave in other parts of the house.
A strict propriety during the time of
worship should also govern the deport-
ment of all. Lounging, whiting, scrib-
bling are all out of place, as well as talk
ing, laughing and sleeping. These things
are so plain that word is sufficient.
Salutations are also out of place in
church, and are pronounced by our Di-
rectory for Public Worship a violation
of the proprieties Of the occasion.
When the congregation is full, much
trouble and embarrassment would be
saved if all persons would have an eye
to sitting compactly, instead of trying to
occupy as much space as possible
Strange that many who would not be
caught occupying more space than neces-
sa'y 80 yn ann sss sss9 ssa1
others, and even see gallant gentlemen
driven up to make room for more.
After house becomes somewhat crowd
ed, there is need of some one, either sex
ton or deacon, to show the new corners to
vacant seats. 1t is not very seemly for
an old elder, or the minister (as it some
times happens,) to be beckoning to per-
sons at the door, while they are looking
every way but at the signals given. A
sensible door-keeper would secure COM
Portable seats for great many who feel
themselves excluded on great occasions.
There is one ugly habit that ought per-
haps to be noticed in this connection; it
is the use of tobacco in church | do
not intend here to repeat those diatribes
against tobacco which we sometimes hear
from the pulpit. A reminder is sufficient
for any one who has proper regard even
for the cleanliness of the place, to say
nothing of its sanctity; while an avalanche
of abuse and questionable wit would
hardly reach the man W hose habits have
destroyed his regard for these things
1t was very much the fashion some twen-
ty five years ago, in sister denomina-
ton, to attack this uncleanly habit from
the pulpit; the uniform result was that
the minister himself was soiled by what
he tried to purify, and the offenders
planted their batteries in more advan.
tageous and conspicuous positions, mount,
ed with guns of heavier Wad and longer
range, to the no small discontinue Of
the light artillery of wit, low and STALE
sometimes brought to bear upon them
not intend to enter this arena at all
but only desire to ask if, on reflection
decency and pF0psiety do not seem to re
ouire that the tobacco be left outside.
1t is true thas these things are all moro
or less Incidental, and some may think
too trivial to notice in a serious discus
sion; but they contribute their part ir
giving charactar to the offering we bring
to God in worship. The lamb of sacri
flee was required to be witAOut 6lemish
ought we not therefore to remove ever
the sighter blemishes of our Worship
Slight blemishes sometimes indicate radi
cal defects, like the stained spot en- tn
bark of the oak, which sometimes be
trays dotted and worthless heart.
A COUNTRY PASTOR.
VIEWS OF TRUTH.-"I have oftel
heard you with pleasure" said a dyini