Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1904-03-19
TALMAGE
SERMON
By Rev.
FRANK DE WITT TALMAGE. DID,.
Pastor Of Jefferson Park Presoy'
terisn Church. Chieaao

| tcrtAu 1
Los Angeles, Cal, March I3.-ipis /
sermon is a good natured rebuke to the
prevalent lack Of decorum among tue
worshipers In our American churenes
and n plea for the observance or
certain reasonable etiquette, equai az
least TO that which we observe In, our
worldly relations. The text Is | aim-
othy Ill, 10, THAT thou mayest know
how thou oughtest to behave thyseif
In the house Of God
Are you parent? Have you ever
dressed up your little children ana
sent them forth alone to visit VIZ
they were about ten or twelve years
of age? Then you have known afne
onxieties of mother or father as TO
their social behavior. Before they go
YOU say: "Now, son, be careful about
your manners. When you enter Mrs.
So-and- SOS home take Off your hat ana
Mace II upon the hall rack. Be care
ful and don't handle the vases In the
parlor, and don't squirm on your chair.
When you are at dinner be sure ana
keen your hands Off the table, and
don't spill the food upon the table
cloth. and don't ask for second help-
ing of anything or talk with your
mouth full. When Mrs. So-and-so
passes you a plate say Thank you.
Remember, my boy, that your mothers
home Is to be judged by your table
manners" When the. child leaves the
house your mind follows him and
stays with him all day long. And, oh,
the pride that sweeps into the parental
heart when, next day, you meet your
friend. at whose home your little chill
dren dined, and she cOngratulates you
in these words: 1--WE had such a lovely
chlldren's party yesterday. And, Mrs
So-and-so. want to tell you how well
your children behaved. Your boy was
a perfect little gentleman, and youl
daughter little lady" All, such con
! graduation as that is as sweet saVol
to the maternal heart
Refinement In the Church.
II refined social manners are essen
tial In the home, they are equally I'm
portant In the house of God. SO essen
tial are they to consecrated Chrlsual
life that Paul wrote a long eplstle Z
his young lieutenant, Timothy, con
cerning them. In this letter, wherein
are found the words Of the text, I'll
great apostle tells how bishops an
their wives should act, and also HOY
deacons and deacons' wives. But tt
day, instead Of my showing now ou
ministers and church officers should D'
have In the house of God, l woul
preach q sermon on church manner
directly to the pew. l would try % II
culcate the reverential spirit VII
which our congregations should assen
BILE for worship. would try to teac
this reverence because more and mol
in this irreverent age there Is ten
ency to look upon church buildings
places fitted for secular enjoymen
rather than as sanctuaries consecratt
to the presence Of Jesus Christ. III
Lord loveth the gates Of Zion mo
than all the dwellings Of Jacob" I
man ought to place foot in Gods san
tuary unless he can do 1t with the 81
emn feeling Of Habakkuk, who q
- clared. "The Lord Is in his holy tempt
let all the earth keep silence befo
him."
First the church building Is the try
ing place where God promises to me
his children at certain times. III
means it is a place OF rendezVo'
" where you have an appointment
commune with Christ at least twi
every Sunday and perhaps once
twice during the week. One infere1
= from that fact is that when a cong
cation assemblies on the Sabbath q
| the worshipers should always be
time and be ready to lift their vol
! IN praise at the first word OF the d
- line of the doxology, as well as W
. bending head to listen to the last VIZ
of the last line Of the benediction.
e We once read how young artist
~ en- opportunity to win immortal Ia
by not being on time. He had an
nointment with Queen Victoria at
a. m. to paint her picture, and ne
layed his coming until ten minutes
or 10. The result was the British gu
was gone and, as far as his opport'
ty was concerned, gone forever l.
40 spiritual way many q churcn mem
' has lost a great opportunity for spl
nal blessing by not being on time
the beginning Of church service.
does not turn his back upon his
pentant children as did the ear'
queen upon the young artist, Dut
. NAV be sure that he marks the imp
lack Of respect which is Indicated
l 1, chronic tardiness and habitual unp'
tuality and that many blessing Is
thereby.
Tardfness Disrespectfui.
There is not one tardy church m
s, her in a thousand who would snow
implied dlsrespect in not keeping
appointment with an earthly 7
which they frequently show to
.oo Heavenly King. Suppose we sh
take a trip east and stop In the ca
at Washington. Suppose while
tourning there one Of the Califo
/. senators or congressman or mer
of the cabinet made an appointI
for us with the president of the Vi
States. Suppose that polite note
sent to us by the presidents prl
n,no secretary informing US that we II
rave be received tomorrow morning al
White House at IL O'Clock.
would we do? Would we SIT up tol
until very late, as some OF us ar
. customed to do every Saturday n
Would we arise very late tomo
DJE morning, about half past y, ana
b,~kfast about 10 o'clock, as son
, can us are accustomed to do every su
" rbo, xxyhor1 the CLOCK 3