Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1892-03-24
CHURCH ETIQUETTE.
HE that respects not is not respected
F-RBERT.

| We would like to say few words OF
adverse criticism on the church manners
of certain church goers. Let our
protest be received as given, without
malice or venom. One of the first
requisites of good society is to respect
the rights of others. \ disregard OF
this simple principle evidences selfish
ness, boorishness or ignorance. We
must conform in a measure to the
conventionalities of society, for they
are the ripened results of long and
varied experience. 1t is the eternal
fitness of things that bring about the
imperative DEGREES of the unspoken
laws of good society. Churches are
built and dedicated to the service of
God. Whether the tendency be liberal
or otherwise universal custom, good
taste and courtesy demand that the
etiquette of church be confOrmed TO.
1t is one of the heaviest penalties OF
habitual wrong acting that it blurs the
sense Of right and often obliterates the
perception of wrong. No one has a
| right to say or do an JnCivil thing in a
public assemblage There is forever
the unwritten law of Justice that
demands respect for the time and place.
| We may not like the methods OF
conducting service. We may have a
| distaste to the forms of worship. We
may be prejudiced against priestly
vestments and imposing ceremonials,
and yet if we enter church where
these things are, we are in all honor
and decency as much bound not to
express our dislikes as we would be in
any private home. Aye more SO, as
the church is set apart sacred to these
usages and forms "In His Name" 1t
shocks the sense of decency and right
to see individuals ridicule the priest or
the service. To whisper, laugh and
play practical jokes during divine
service is unseemly and rude. \ few
nights ago in one Of the city churches
all harmony of thought was rudely
dispelled by discordant elements. \
| gentleman a few seats away was
combing his rather unpromising mus.
tache. A very bright looking young
couple were evidently absorbed in each
others conversation forgetting that
those around them wished to hear the
minister speaking A young gentleman
| belonging to the best society and
ordinarily gentlemanly and considerate
seemed to find a deal of pleasure in
teasing young lady in the seat in front
of him. One young person turned
squarely around and entered into
conversation, in an audible voice, tC
parties sitting in the adjoining row. A
gentleman we'll known in the city in
the past was in the habit of dropping a
penny into the contribution box. He
was never known to give more, but he
often displayed the penny and occasion
| ally button took the place of it as a
| huge Joke. Such things might pass for
fun with small boys, but for young men
with average intelligence it seems
| simply absurd. To those whose educa-
| ton has taught them to reverently bow
the head when the name of Sod is
mentioned the absolute indifference
shown by others savors of irreverence.
The sign of the cross is an unspoken
prayer in many who thus recognize the
divine sacrifice. Who has the right to
question the prOpriety of such indica-
| ton?
Another oft repeated act of discour-
| tesy impresses one with its inconsistency
| a stranger is shown to a seat by the
| usher. Soon the regular attendant
| owner Of the seat, enters and by a cold
questioning stare makes you feel that
you are an intruder He or she takes
the book and joins in the service in
stimulated sweetness of piety, rever-
entity kneels for prayers, petitioning for
all grace to do His will and work His
works, while ignoring the stranger
whose presence is a petition to share
a place in the circle of worshipers
Less discourteous would it be to treat a
visitor in the home circle in such
a manner. and forget not the
stranger within thy gates" voices the
thought of the intruder. Just now
athletic minds are graphing the great
religious subjects Of the day. Grave
questions have sprung up and are being
| hotly discussed by those whose influence
swaps the multitude, concerning the
nature of inspiration, the infallibility OF
Bible and Pope, the atonement and
eternal punishment Concerning the
eucharist, baptism and amusements
concerning church discipline, church
government and the claims of al
imposing service with a splendid ritual
an array of burning candles, costly
vestments and refined luxury of form
All these questions have a place in the
minds of the intelligent To go tc
church as a street gamin goes to /
circus to find amusement is beneath
the dignity of a gentleman or lady, is
child's play even TO the school boy
Every single sermon listened to helps
to form ideas and cultivate intelligence
Every discreditable action in churches
helps to blur the perception of right
Be proud and brave enough to show
respect, where respect is due. Beware
of getting into rut from which it may
be difficult to eXtricate yourself
Religion, home and country are subjects