The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1879-06-25
MISCELLANY.
For THE RECORD.
CHURCH MANIFEST


It would seem impertinence to say anything
to ordinary well-bred people in regard to their
manners in church. Nevertheless, there are
certain points of behavior which most certain
ly would be modified by sensible and thought.
full people, If they could see them from the
point of view, at which they are looked at by
people who respect, not only themselves, but
Gods house. We cannot understand how any
true and refined lady or gentleman can con-
duct themselves in an improper manner any
where but especially in the house of God
laugh and jest in the very shadow of the Cross,
and when Gods ambassadors messen-
gers, tell of the wondrous story of the Saw
iour's love, laugh and whisper to those around
them as II they had no soul to save, no heaven
to gain, annoy all around them by foolish
laughing, silly conversation, and all at some
nonsensical words-words without meaning or
importance-and of which the speaker should
be ashamed. And then the bad habit of go.
ing in church late, after the services have
commenced, perhaps, some one, (if it is
prayer meeting) is bowed before the Lord, in
prayer, instead of waiting reyerently until the
prayer is over, how many persons walk to
their pews, making all the noise possible,
and disturbing every one in the house. Per-
haps it is Sunday morning. new suit is to be
worn the first time, and it is absolutely neces-
sdry to tarry until all are in their places, in
order to show off to the best advantage. All
who act in this manner injure themselves Sc
riously. They either think they are more i'm
portant than the service of God, or at least
appear to think so. If they have real rever-
ence, they fail to show it. They not only in
jure themselves, but the pastor and the hear
ers. The pastors whole soul may be in what
he is doing, reading Gods Word, perhaps"
carefully and prayerfully, bringing to light
all the beauty and grandeur of the sacred
words. Or he may be praying, his whole
soul lifted up to the King of kings and Lord
of lords-for blessing upon those who are
met together How much you disturb. "late
comer," the feeling and solemnity that rests
upon the hearts of the worshippers. And
then this leaving before the services are clos
ed, to use the mildest word, 1t is simply an
abominable habit unless the person leaving
is sick). just think of it, careless one, the
minister right in the midst of his sermon,
preaching with all the earnestness that he can
command, with an intense conviction of the
responsibility resting upon him preaching,
as dying man to dying people, feeling that
he must meet them all again and give an &C
count of what he is saying, how much you
disturb him, you never can tell, and what
serious effect You produce upon the mind of
the hearers by leaving and distracting their
attention. Who are you that you dare go
tramping down the aisle, slamming the door
after you, amidst such solemnity |? Another,
a very important thing, thatso clearly defines
during prayer. What is praying? Coming
into the presence of God. Who is God p
The great ruler Of the universe, high above
all kings. He hath measured the waters in
the hollow of His hand, and melted Heaven
with span, and comprehended the dust of
the earth in measure and weighed the
mountains in scales and the hills in balance.
How dare we, worms of the dust, come into
His courts and into His presence In a careless,
thoughtless manner, "sit perfectly upright
and stare around us during prayer" never ev-
en- cover our faces, before whom even the an
gels veil themselves and cast their crowns be-
fore Him, such, where angels even fear to
tread and call it holy ground. Every intelli-
gent mortal being knows that the right po-
sition during the offering of prayer, is on the
Bonded knee. In a crowded church, this may