The Sumter watchman. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1855-1881, 1870-03-02
CHURCH ETIQUErrE.

AS oil persons are not as perfect in
church etiquette as they might be, the
following suggestions may DOT be out Of
place:
Attending divine worship is not like
attending public show. thou gh in
this fast age there are some whose con-
duct makes the difference appear but
small
First, then. the re is no etiquette for
auy place. like the etiquette Of common
sense it avails when the rules of the
Chester6cda aud tho Hichmans often
make .ono ridiculous. In entering
church with lady, precedo her when
ascending and descending stairs, as also
in seeking a seat 10 the latter case,
it ia especially polite-you act rs sort
Of shield to her tnodesty, and then you
save her the confusion Of selecting a
pew.
is proper If you are a believer, to
kneel or stand at prayer, according
to the custom Of the church. TO
disregard these is vulgar-at least,
it shows too much false pride, or too little
reverence for the requirements Of Chris.
tianity.
Excessive whispering during service
is decidedly vulgar. It is sometimes
necessary to address an uudertone re-
mark to your companion or companions,
but seldom.
Listen to the service-cspccially the
sermon. In this age Of church opera,
called music, You cannot help hearing
that part Of the ceremony. 1t would
wake up Van Winkle. But the sermon
you must not sleep over or disregard.
1t IS wrong. Appear to hear if you do
not. A good way is when the minister
lis dull, and you can't lis, s,cu-which hap
pens often enough to make o rulo-to
study phrenology- examining tho bumps
Of heads before you. An hour may be
passed thus politely aud pleasant
If you chew tobacco, do not use it in
church. 1t is annoying to those
around you, and then the sexton gives
you jesse.
Never leave church during service
unless it is Absolutely necessary-as in
sickness, house fire or professional
call.
1t is vulgar to como late. Sometimes
it is unavoidablc-a person wishes to
display new dress, watch chain or
perhaps beau. 1t will occur sometimes
that poor gonse wants to be driven
from his scat-thcn it is proper enough
also, These causes, and the like, excuse
late coming aud the congregation
endure them. Any other delay is upcn
durable.
Dress as plainly as possible. We don't
mean that lady shonld appear in her
morning wrapper nor Il gentleman in
his shirt sleeves. a nice medium is
the thing in all undergraduates should
not be taken for milincr's show cases nor
gentlemen for be jeweled :,d neck tied
monkeys. \ plcbian goes to church to
show fine clothes an aristocrat to show
respect to God
In entering aud in leaving the house
don't walk too slow like the shoddies,
nor too fast like the bashfuls. In the
one case, people ridicuIe you for af-
ger Of Knocking down the pews or
running over somebody. Hasten "siow
w."
When you look around too much in
church. people think you want to show
your profile, or that you want to attract
attention to your style, or that you want
to marry, Or that like poor wheat, there
is not weight enough about your head to
keep it still.
Don't look too pious in church either
1T is as suspicious as too much lcvity.
Religious worship is neither joke nor
an ometic. If you feel extraordinarily
devotional begin to think about put
ting something in the treasury,
and it will shorten your lace quickly,
and spread over it the pleasant look of
duty.