Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1878-11-05
e7Ls,r...r For the SPECTATOR.
"nat we Have Seen in Churches and Our
Comment Upon II. .,ilfI

we nave seen some persons come to
cnurch, long before time. announced for
service to commence, if the bell Glanced
to be rung or the church to be. opened.
and cit and talk and laugh as if it wrs a
place dedicated for that purpose. But
we suppose that those who -indulged in
such conduct did not know any better.
therefore, 1t will have to be attributed to
their ignorance of church etiquette.
we nave seen others come in church
4 Wnen the minister was in the midst of
ms discourse and create such confusion
that 1t attracted the attention of nearly
the entire congregation. 10
| But we suppose that those who did so.
had on neso hat or portion of habili-
ment which they desired to show how
becoming 1t was or how neatly it flied.
w nave seen young ladies lay their
/ heads upon their hands. which rested
upon the back ofthe pew, as if they bad
a severe attack of the sick k-head-aehe.-
But we suppose that they were up s'in
the parlof" late Saturday night conse-
quently they were very much indispos-
ed. ,+ -.
we have seen almost every person in
congregation turn around, if the door
chanoed to be opened, to see who came
ms as II it made any difference to them
!"
VINO did so, were afraid that some one
might come in and that they could not
see them or their dress upon which to
pass their criticising sentiments.
we nave seen the pretty misses cover
their faces with their hands or thick
vail as if they were too handsome to be
looked at or that it would affect their
eye sight to look at the minister for go
minutes. But we sappose that they
We're afraid that some Cne in the congre-
cation might see the varieties and depth
or paint upon their pretty faces.
Wehaye seen persons fidgeting around
upon the benches, no matter how earn
estly tbs minister was preaching to
chorea. But we suppose it was done in
order to attract attention and to see how
their neighbors were dressed.
We have seen persons write their
names upon the back Of the pews as if
they wer0 hotel registers or black boards
pat there for that purpose. But we sup
pose that those who did it were not un-
like all other fools who desire to see their
names In every public place.
we have seen gentlemen put their feet
upon. the spit-toOns and spit tobacco iuice
upon the floor. But we suppose that
that was the way they did at home con-
sequently they thought the church
place in which they could find ample
room to hold their loathsome saliva.
We have seen visitors of their church
es ridicuie and laugh at every thing they
CHANGED to see in another church, if it
did not accord with their church or
fastidiOus notions. And even if the
minister happened to make mistake
they would either try to correct 1t or
make sport of his broken language by
engaging in hilarious conduct. But we
suppose that it will have to be attfibut-
ed to their efficiency in church etiquette
and good manners.
We have seen persons take offence ct
nearly every thing in a newspaper if ii
did not meet with their appreciation, but
If we hear of any one taking any offence
at any of the above remarks we shall
take it for granted that the "shpe not
only fits but 1t also pinches."
& P. A. r.
Mt. Sidney, Va, Oct. Goth, 1878.