The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-08-14
OUR SUNDAY COLUMN.
Original and Otherwise-Pre-
pared by Mark.
NO. "a.

NO. "a.
My text to-day is found in Paul's let
ter to the Romans and reads thus:
"Much Every Way."First, let me speak
of prevalent disc ase in Roanoke called
SUNDAY SICKNESS.
This remarkable and mysterious kind
Of malady prevails extensively in al.
most every community. This Sunday
or seventh day epidemic is not named or
described in the books of the medical
faculty. Its popularity consists in the
fact that it is an intermittent or heb
domanol disorder, which keeps the pa
tient away from church on Sunday,
though he is always we'll enough to at
tend to his business on Monday morning
Though contagious disease, we never
knew it to kill any one, and it is an ex-
traordinary fact that while it lasts, the
patient has first rate appetite, and
actually eats and sleeps rather better
than usual.
If the disorder is checked so that the
patient escapes an attack on Sunday, he
is apt to have relapse on the following
Wednesday night, in consequence Of
which he is unable to go to the prayer.
meeting. He is up again however,
bright and early on Thursday morning,
eats hearty breakfast, and hurries of
to business, and no one sees how intent
he is on making money all day long.
would suspect that he had been so sick
only the night before!
Sticking to my text, "Much Every
Way" my second remark is based upon
complaint l hear every day in Roa-
noke. 1t is this:
II can't get acquainted with the
members of the church"
The following conversation occurred
in another city, but l have heard
something very like this colioouy in
Roanoke. 81 can't get acquain ted with
the members of the church," said
lady, who had recently been admitted
by letter into the mem bership OF large
church, to the pastor.
81 am sorry, my sister, was the re-
ply; 1.-THE members are considered quite
friendly, and there is much pleasant So
cial intercourse between them"
"But scarcely any OF them speak to
me, or seem to know me when 1 come
to church, or meet them in the street."
"Do you speak to them?"
81 do not like to speak first. 1t was
SO very different in the church l be-
longed to in my native village. There
the members were sociable."
Where you passed the days of your
childhood and youth" said the pastor,
you were, of course. more widely known,
and when you were baptized it was
| more direct introduction to the Christian
sympathies and affection of the church.
De you attend the prayer meetings."
mo, / have not been yet"
well the best place to form the &C.
| quaintances among the members is at
the prayer meetings. The Sabbath con-
| gregations are SO large and so many
strangers attend that members can
scarcely become familiar with each
other II they meet only there. Besides,
my sister, the Sunday service is for the
worship OF God and not 80 much for So
cial greeting. The mid-week prayer
meeting is more of social meeting, and
If YOU are seen regularly at the prayer
meeting you will soon be recognized and
welcomed Have you been to the La
dies Aid Society,""
"Oh, no. did not like to 90 where
all were strangers to me-"
but, sister, have you not been in
vited to 60 in order that you may meet
the sisters socially and become identi-
fled with them in church work."
Yes, but they are all strangers to
me-"
"But how are they to become &C.
quainted with you if you do not give
them an opportunity? 1 hope you have
visited the Sabbath SCHOOL,"
mo, have not. ] should like to
take class and work in the Sunday
school but have been waiting for an
invitation"
Have you attended any of the meet
ings OF the Ladies' Missionary Society,""
mo. did not feel free to go where
1 was not acquainted"
But my sister, have you not been
invited both publicly and privately to
meet with the ladies and become inter
ested with them in mission work 2"
Eyes; but was not acquainted"
Have any of the ladies of the church
called to see you ?"
eyes; several have called"
Have you returned any of their
calls?"
well, no; not yet They were all
stranger to me-"
"My dear friend, do you not perceive
that you are far moro to blame for re-
naming comparative stranger among
us than the members Of the church gem
orally can be. You are waiting for adj
vances to be made by those to whom you
give scarcely an opportunity for friend
ly intercourse. You give them no rea.
son to think that you desire ap ac-
workmanship. You have not returned