The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-03-14

settle not only over the hou sehoid but upon
NIL the lana. il 1t not ~resttul, in these da w
of excitement and haste. evan TO think OF
TINT hroouinc stiffness which lullod the
mind into y tit serenity for tho efn pluymaht
which tina next day btonsat? The transi-
tion irom the tsmpar in which ono wrasttes
with business into tho Wpfshipful mood in
not al instantaneous net. There ought to
he time for it, certainly not leaa than that
of tha ancient jew, who before he entered
the synagogue. remained awhile, standing
silently II maditatins upo the greatness
of tho Presence into which no must enter.
Hore it il holy ground npon which we stand.
Let us not come upon it thoughtleRsly.
We say that God il here. Let us get a
| deep, impressive, consciousness Of It. In
this frame OF mind one must needs be alive
to the purpose which brings him into tbs
house of God.
Faniliariae Yourself before you lcAyc
your home with tho Lessons, The Psalter,
the Epistie and Gospel tor the day. This
will put YOU IN possession OF the Thought
| which gives unity to the days service,
| rendering your participation more intelli-
gent md keeping tho understanding active.
One ought to be thoroughly awake in HIS
mental facilities, but nevar to criticise.
| The critical word and the devotional arc
antAxonistic.
Observe too the possurca appropriate to
tina various acts Of worship, knaeling, not
merely howing the head, i'll prayer. In
difference in this respect - almost q certain
| Indication that the thoughts are otherwise
engaged. For does not the body respond
instinctively to the movements of tho mind?
Let your participation in the responsive
elements DO reyerent indeed, but sponta-
naous and hearty. The "Amens'' in the
early churoh sounded, it is said, like a clap
Of thunder. You will enjoy the worship IN
which both your body and your voice, the
heart and mind soul join: and that will
be acceptable to God.
One other condition of enjoyment I men
ton: a certain sympathy with tho congre-
CATION. Here I confront a widespread
difficulty. Let me present. briefly the W.
sides Of the question.
That familiar suggestion, in the first
place, that someone made after hearing a
ernon on the recognition OF friends in
heaven that there was need also Of some
friends on earth, has smother aspect be-
sides ths humorous. He had been con-
nected with a parish for a number
Of years, without knowing save by
sight anyone II u. The experience Is
since. become exasperated against the
church because they find in il nothing an
swerinQ to Christian fellowship and next to
nothing which answers to Christian civil
ity.n Christian courtesy certainly loses
nome Of its grace when manifested in the
AcA1p ~ OL@41ps II VAOANAb1uA AAAACpy
lest those who %habltnally or occasionally
worship with us should leave any service
with IN uncomfortable impression that
they arc aliens, at least from our IN
wealth, is not at all incompatible with the
sinoerest devotion. Neither does it lessen
from his enjoyment Of it. Let US admit
that az a whole our parish, and the church
at large, il hero at fault. We may be more
conslderate Of strangers. But look at the
other side. @
We teach that our church buildings are
not the place for loud greetings or gossip
ing or secular conversation; we inculcate a
reverence, because of its associations and
it's conservation, for the house itself. 1t is
through the various parochial %organiza-
tions; the social gatherings. the working
societies that acquaintance should TO mad
and fostered. Lot ns work against the evil
OF which speak by these agencies. | am
glad that the endeaver is now being made.
And those who have grievances under this
head, let them meet us half way. You have
stood aloof III cherished q fancled neg
leot. Put aside yoar bitterness.
Come and share our labors; come
and join us in our worship; OH sundays,
morning and evening on Saints Days,
through the present Lententlde. 1t il your
right to do so; a right Of which no one
wishes to deprive you; q right which We all
wish you God speed in claiming.
VI tne SOURCES OF enjoyment IN the prayer
book itself / do not stop to speak. If it is
possible for any ritual to lift one above the
world, out of the anxieties that harass his
soul. this. surely, which we have so fre-
quently the opportunity to use ia qualified
to do it. From the confession, which, if
genuine, leaves you with a lighter heart
and q conscience unburdened, it moves with
a growing fervor to its close with a blessing
which invokes as you depart that peace of
God, which passeth all understanding, to
remain with you forever. From each SER
vice, rightly used, you should 30 as you
might hope to pass from the world, having
the testimony of a good conscience; in the
communion of tho Catholic church; in the
condolences of a certain faith; ia the COM
fort of a reasonable, religious and holy
hope; in favor with God and in perfect
charity with the world. And stepping
forth what better resolve for our daily life
could We make than this-to live more
nearly as we have prayed.