The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-08-17
PULPIT AND PEW.
QUESTIONS INTERESTING TO
MANY DENOMINATIONS.

s.s,., Manner. in Church-Mr. Moo"ys
49, r,a,uipe schooi-somc Hymns
Of Long Ago-Reiigious Notes aud Com
ment.
Dickens, in his story of Little Dorrit'
accomplishes keen stroke OF satire oy
printing the word Society with a
capital initial throughout passage IN
which great banker is represented as
coming TO his ruin partly through
his service OF society. Such and
such things had TO be done ana
appearanccs maintained because So
c;etv demanded them. That 80
c;etv is a relentless master to thVu
.ands. and that thousands render luoia-
.rous service most willingly tothis raise
cod few would deny; but do we oilen
mink how ant the idolators y society
are To carry on this idolatry in the very
Church of Christ? Ii was the climax
of shameless heathenism among ine
ancient Jews when idols aud their al,
tars were set up in the very courts Oh
the Temple at Jerusalem.
Tho occurrence of such abomina-
lions among Gods chosen people IN
old times is recorded for our adhopi'
tion. lest we in like manner corrupt 'he
service Of Christ. The Church was ye'
upder the simple rule OF the apos'ies
when st. James found 1t necessary 10 re-
prove the beginning of social discrlml-
nation in the worshipping assembly,
II might be the more pilpaole ldolatry
~ Wealth. or of Fashion, that he hau
obseryed. For such it must be II the
mere wearing of gay clothing entitled
men to be put forward IN the ministry
of the congregation and to occupy
good seat, while povery ana common
raiment were enough 10 make hiau
rtand hack or sit in an OBSCURE
corner. All the Christian preach
inc of nineteen centuries has not
sufficed utterly to Danish from the
Church even this palpable form OF IDOL
atry. There are more subtle forms OF
which there is something now 10 oe
said. But with this plain case oil 'isi-
bic idolatry in mind, 1t is the easier 10
observe what power alone Is aOie 10
drive it out of the Church. God {. own
presence among his worshippers, real
lied. recognized, represented IN the or
dering of all things, Is sufficient TO cast
ont ali idols TO the moles and bats. Ii
every worshipper. from priest TO
sexton. cares chiefly for what shall
nlease the All Holy One all
the arrangement and behavior and
uttcrance and dress Of the congrega-
ton will speak first and most impress
siyely of hallowing his name, ordering
his kingdom, and doing his will Not
personal adornment, but Devotion anu
decency will determine every one
place. And we may be sure that ln
Gods sight, whatever be our errors,
either of false ritualism or idolatry OF
riches, the honor of persons in each
congregation is reordered according to
his own righteous Judgment. So that
many whom seem first are put last' ana
many that are last are set first.
Is God served with any the more sln'
Verity and purity because nelghborlng
pewholdcrs live for years unacqualnted
for the lack of what society has de-
creed TO be a formal introduction
Who or what is society, forsooth, to
dictate that they shall be strangers
who as brethren call upon one Father
Nothing but the idolatry of society IN
the very Church of God can account
for such alienation of members OF
Christ. Extenuate 1t as far as may De
there is more residue OF ldolatry OF
society than can be absolved. Say
that people seek a church where the
preaching, or music, or ritual attracts
them, without regard to the social
warmth of the parish; say even that
they NAV some of them prefer social
isolation or independence in their parish
relations: yet the right to selfish
seclusion in the Church cannot be
proved for the benefit of any man
And even if this preference OF some
could be allowed for other reasons, the
fact that it would involve a denial OF
kindness to others, who expect KIND
ness in church, would condemn 1t as
un-Cbristian.
1t should be needless to say that what
is here written is not in advocacy OF IT.
reverent sociability in the church edi-
fee. much less of the interchange OF
social amenities during the time of di-
vine service. 1t is only to be ID.
sisted that we remain men and
women when we meet for worship
and since we must in some way show
whether we meet and part a.
strangers, and possibly enemies, or as
friends and brethren, the Christian rule
should prevail over every social canon
Having praised aud prayed to God TO
sether is as good an introduction tC
acquaintance, yes. even as good grouno
for invitation to dine together, as the
Christian should desire. What else
opposite to this, upon its human side
Christian communion signifies, no maj
can declare.-The Church.