The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1874-12-31
A Chance for improvement.

Every sensible men desires to lop off
his faults and to make himself as nearly
perfect as possible; and he will consider
him his best friend who most faithfully,
and yet most kindly, reminds him Of his
shortcomings. 1--WE presume that societies
of men are equally DESTROYS of becoming
faultless in their way, and would be
thankful for any suggestions that might
lead to their improvement. Relying on
this reasonable presumption, we take the
liberty to suggest thing or two to the
religious societies of Toledo.
Would it not be well to initiate the Gus
tom of other places and have in each
church a couple of widc-awakc and easy
hammered men Tor women, if you please
whose duty it shall be to see that visitors
and strangers shall be comfortably seated?
We sec persons almost every Sunday COM
ing into church and looking as though
they were afraid they had intruded them
selves into place where they were not
wanted. They hesitate in tho vootibulo,
hoping that some one will graciously
ask them in. Then, encouraged BY
the example Of others, they venture
, inside of the auditorium, only to be m ire
embarrassed than ever, for now they can
no longer retreat, and yet no one seems
to id them welcome nor asks them to a
seat AS they can't go backward, they must
60 forward, and they wander down the
aisle, glancing furtively to the right and
left, hoping that some one will see their
embarrassment, take pity on them and ask
them to sit down. In this again they are
disappointed. Haying been compelled to
go thus far on What man of nice percep-
ton would call his 'cheek, he concludes
to abandon, for the time, all his sense of
propriety, and take seat unasked in
pew with strangers. He sees some vacant
room in the pew, and moves toward the
opening, with his eye wistfully looking to-
ward the longcd-for seat. But his trials are
not yet ended. The head of the pew is oc-
cupied by some man, woman, boy or girl
shu oita stovh s,lM-wlN nvitl.cl Use TO let
the stranger pass in, nor move along so
that the stranger can have his seat; SO the
stranger or visitor crowds his way along in
front Of those who occupy the end of the
pew next to the aisle, feeling if he be a
well bred man, that he is doing an impro-
per thing, and inwardly swearing, unless
he is gerry pions man, that he will never
again visit Toledo church unasked.
Sometimes the stranger or visitor is a
woman, in which case the matter becomes
eenfold worse. Only week or two ago.
at one Of our most popular churches, we ,
saw an old lady come in late and hunt for
a seat,-yes, hunt for it. There was plenty
OF room in the church, but the ends of
the seats were all occupied, and no one
moved. After standing moment at the
end OF several pews, hoping in vain to see
the occupants move to let her in, she was
compelled TO take an uncomfortable seat
to The left of the pulpit, and partially be,
hind the preacher. We noticed one Young
man who was at the head of a half.tilled
pew turn TO his girl" who sat at his side
and smile as the old lady passed from him
20 the Hexi BOBBY As smsayia We arc
not success; besides, we have .some
scruples about engaging in the business
personally. But upon the same principle
that some pious men, who abhor the leoo,
profession. employ lawyers in cases Of
emergency, ne would at the time gladly
have paid one dollar and TWENTY-FIVE cents
to competent party for cursing-tvertv.
Eve cents worth for the young man who
smiled at his own I'll breeding, and a fuu
dollars worth for the men who RIM
church in such manner as to make Il
possible for woman to be SO treated. We
have since cooled down, however, and
Would basc no profanity for any consid-
'eration, but we Mould have all the church
cs take notice that the stranger. and oc.
casional visitor deserve better treatment
and that the credit of our town for refine
ment and hospitalit must materially suf-
fer, so long as these practices continue.
All the evils herein spoken Of would
vanish II there were in each church two or
more ushers, who would have control Of
the seats and would seat the people az
they conc in. They should keep a close
watch Tor strangers at the doors, and for
others who DO not habitually attend their
church, and should at once, take them
under their charge, and with an mir ~
welcome, find them comfortable seat
A graceful wave Of the usher's hand would
cause the strong headed worshipper to re-
linquish the end Of the pew in favor Of The
visitor, and good manners would take the
place Of bad manners generally.
And poa, 10 conclude, il is but just to
ourselves aud to all copccrened to say that