The Progress., 1892-10-15
ABOUT SOME CHURCH-GOERs.
20. II.

Mn. PROGRESS: Two weeks ago
wrote you letter about some young
people as church -goers To-day, if
you will allow me, L will say word
or two about some OF the older ones.
And first, let me modestly puy my
.espects TO some of the old gents,
Who some times do things in church
I don't like.
For example. we occasionally meet
m old brother who is always found
IN his seat. He may hc, and per
haps is, more distinguished for his
churchlsm than his piety. He goes
70 church early. and ho gees by the
postoiiice and there receives his paper
mail He enters with his pockets
plethoric with Times-Democrats. Pic
ayunes. etc. He takes his seat, ad-
usts his spccks. spreads bis paper
and devours the latest political news,
while the congregation i5 assembling
Io gets Interested aud really does
not see himself "a others see him, but
no il Il sort OF privileged character.
lnd possibly dou' care very much
any way. At length. as the preacher
asceDds the pulpit, ha deems 1t the
proper thing to get himself into u
worahipful frame os mind, SO with
much ado. much folding, rafting and
loise, he slows away his paper, set
lies down, and for tho resi- OF the
service tries to behave himself
amt much of a church man. and
nin't rot haif enough religion, ain
afraid, bat / do Ike to see folks, when
hey 40 to meeting, act like they are
linking about what they go there
FOR. | would therefore advise all old
Jr.tbren that are bent on reading the
Sunday news, to select for the pur-
pose somc other place than church
On Sabbath morning.
Another Thug that some times at
'ract4 my attention is the Old party
That invariab'y : goes to sleep under
;he drippings of the sanctuary
This is a sort of intirmity. | believe.
with some. and L don't suppose we
onght to he very hard on those 80
afflicted, but for their own sases |
would ask them to mend their ways
f possible. Il is not inspiring TO the
minister to note in front Of him an
Dl bTother-one of his pillar prob
his eyes tightly SAINT Hud
his head a-hobbin' mp aud down after
the fashion OF the fish cork IA the
story OF "Sut Lovingood- Dad" 1t
naturally makes the parson feel that
his fine material was very much
wasted, in that particular quarter at
least
| once knew an old gentleman who
denied to his pastor thai he was,
when he seemed 70 be, asleep in
church. He explained that he was
only shutting out tho WORLD" and /
hat what seeInpd somnoleut nod /
was but the silent expression OF hl5 F.
assent to the CosIel truths ha was
iu This night have passed |
and PROVED suIii,ie f. except for the /
fact that when the old party decided |
to open his eyes and look again upon I
{ ne world, IL was always with jrrk |
and snOlt, very ike that Of razor
backed barrow when suddenly staIt-
led from the corner of fence. Old
this concomi;ant is not
but it might occur 1t it
should. it would mortify both you
lud your family very much; 70 don't
rick It, il y"u can help it. 1t you
cannot possibly keep awake in church.
perhaps it would be just rs well to
tay at home-maybe little better.
In any event, if you como to church,
borrow your wife's smelling bottle,
md try at least to redeem yourself
There are some other things
,ould write about IN this connection.
Dut Will forhesr, as my epistle is
perhaps long enough.
In my next l win express nay views
N the subject Of orr mothers and
wives IA "cbnrch-goers.'
Your most humble servant,
GROWER.