The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1886-02-10
CHURCH MANNERS.
A Few Suggestions as to How We should
Deport Ourselves When In the Lords
HOuse.


A Few Suggestions as to How We should
Deport Ourselves When In the Lords
House.
l. If your pew be rented and some
stranger be in it. never show him ont,
nor allow your countenance to exhibit
the least regret at his being in your
seat. In your heart thank God that he
is there; and no matter if he comes in
rags. keep him there, and let no men,
Der of your family take his place. Find
seat among those who know you.
Those who are near you and discover
your condition will make room for you
rapidly.
2. If it is free church, put
yourself in the hands of an usher,
and say not one word Sit down
where he seats you. He has studied the
church and knows best If you insist
upon seating yourself, you-may enter a
pew in which you will leave only one
vacancy; then if a man and his wife
come and wish to sit together, you sep
arate them. If there be anything
special in your case, as hardness of
hearing, or weak limb. then you
should inform the usher and let him Sc
lect your seat.
3. In dressing for the church, pre-
pare yourself 10 throw off your wrap
pings when you enter the pew. If you
have on clothing to protect you against
the cold, and enter church warmed
with stove or register, you will soon
become uncomfortable and restless.
Study how you are to be as comfort
able in the church as in your own
house, and do not let any false mod
esty prevent you from rising to pull off
your overcoat or sacque, or shawl.
4. Take care how you use fans. Nine
tenths of tanning is unnecessary. You
would be more comfortable if you
would sit still and be quiet. The most
of tanning is in an expression of gem
eral business of temper. Moreover. it
may annoy your neighbor. We heard
physician say THAT he thought that a
large amount of the prevalent neural
gia was due to the use of fans in church,
and fell, not on those who famed, but
upon some of their neighbors." We
have often heard the remark II got
little good of the sermon yesterday. be-
cause of the lady next to me, who
famed me till Twas almost in SILVER. :"
What would you think of your min
lister if he should fan himself while
preaching?
+ 8. Conform to the usages of the con-
gregation; stand when they stand;
kneel when they kneel. If you are a
stranger, do not make haste to change
your position. Do not rise, nor sit,
nor kneel, until you discover what is
done in the congregation. In your
church it may be different. You may
be accustomed to kneel just after the
singing of a hymn. But some Sunday
may find you in church where the con-
gregation might, after the singing Of
the hymn and before the prayer, con-
tinue standing until they had repeated
the creed. 1t would be awkward fol-
; you to sit down or kneel, and be com.
PEELED to rise and repeat the creed, OF
keep in posture that would make you
! conspicuous.
6. Be attentive to strangers. If you
are settled in church, keep supply
|. of hymnibooks and Bibles, and hand
, them to those who are strangers. Elk
tend your hand to the stranger at the
close of the service. Invite him tc
come again and occupy your pew
Offer to make him acquainted with
, your pastor. 1t is no excuse for you
to say "that you do not know him. >
, That is the very reason for speaking t.
him in church.
T. Lastly. Do not commence Il
gather up your outer garments unit
the entire service has been concluded
A short time since we were in one o
, the best known churches in America
whose popular pastor closed the sery
ice by saying: "Now let us close b.
singing the long-measure doxology
pronounce the benediction and resume
, our overcoats." The programme
I struck us as correct, and its intimatiOl
, as practical. but we greatly regret tn
, state of church manners which mad
, the pastor think such a thing appro
) propriate. d.. C. f. Deems, Il
= Pulpit Treasury.