Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1904-03-19

comed as men. They were nOnoreu III
their official capacities as personal
representatives Of the British, the
German. the Italian, the Russian ana
the Austrian thrones. Never forget
when you criticise the preachers mes
sage that you may be criticising the
very words that God has given him TO
deliver to you.
Avoid Flippant Criticism.
Honor Gods representatives In the
Christian pulpit and in the Christian
choir loft If you would honor CHRIST
I'm the church. Mr.. Champion, the
botanist. tells us that In his explora-
tions through Panama some OF the
most beautiful flowers growing there
Immediately die and become withered'
shriveled, brownish weeds as soon as
plucked by the human hand. The
beautiful truths of the gospel as floral
treasures will lose their power to help
and serve US II with rude, irreverent
hands they are torn from the pulpit
and choir loft and submitted. to harsh |
and filppant criticism. The minister
ing hands of the church service, scat
tering the good seed which may De
sown in our sinful hearts, may not be
perfect hands; but, for the time Deing
at least such hands should be consld-
cred as representing the hand or God.
John Mcneil, the Scottish evangelist
IN a late address illustrated the impor-
tance Of the respect which should De
shown in churches to Gods ministers
as his representatives. He said, "One
of the greatest powers OF spirituai
strength which came to Scotland IN
the days that are gone was due en-
tirely to the respect which the Scottish
congregations gave to their Scottish
nastors" When all Edinburgh went
forth with tears and lamentations TO
hurry Thomas Chalmers the people did
not feel they were honoring Thomas
Chalmers so much as the Christ OF
whom he was the earthly representa-
tive
mot criticise the church music or the
minister's preaching Why" some one
says, '"that is almost an impossiollity'
Some church choirs smash every law
Of musical harmony. Some ministers
are absolutely stupid. They are i'm
practicable men-men Of no force, with
ont any two logical. consecutive
thoughts That Is true, my brother
Some choirs are noted more for their
discords than their musical perfections'
Some ministers mental depth 1t does
not take a very long line to fathom
But can give you this as my own per
, sonal experience never entered any
church with the spirit Of God In my
heart. to try to consider the leaders OF
I that service, Gods representatives
q without receiving great spiritual gooc
8 out OF that service. In contrast 10 thl'
n statement never entered churci
building with the spirit OF criticism II
e nv heart but found something 10 crlt
O icise about the minister and the service
g before | got through with 1t, and, rur
J. thermore, when did enter service IL
8 the spirit of criticism l always foun'
y that I received more harm from tina
2 service than good. II William 4. Giao
II stone, with the greatest brain IN a.
e England. could sit Sunday after sur
q day in the little church Of Hawarde
g and get spiritual food from young, II
\. exnerienced rectors who came there I
" hreak for him the bread Of life,' sure
le ly you can afford to honor the mihi'
,e tors Of Jesus Christ as Gods represen
c. atives.
10 Respect Gods Presence.
re But behaving yourself Alright !
Il. church implies not only due respect
ve Gods presence, in whose sanctuar
Of Won assemble, and TO his represent
he tives there, but also due respect 10 u
IN strangers who come in to worship VIII
in Won at your church affairs. 1t not on
nv means that we should bow Detol
ht Gods altars and in reverential ton'
q sov "Our Father" but it also meal
to that we should give a warm, loVlh
in. Christian welcome to Gods chlldr'
as who would sit by our side. 1t meal
NV that no church is a consecrated Chri
of tan church unless all the men ana "
mon alike. whether clothed In SILK
in homespun. whether rich or poo
bo whether master or servant. shall
on cordially greeted with an open chur
,rv door and an open church pew.
or. Christian etiquette should run exa
go ly along parallel lines with social e
as auette. Suppose l am invited 10 yo
Tho home to visit for a week. Supposi
we at this country house party you shot
mo have ten or fifteen guests, includl
ev some Of your own children. supp
,,s. ing at this house party | should
q rude to one Of your guests or make l
her of your old mother because she m
I'd. dered the kings English or becal
,or. she once did her own washing. WI
tho would you do? Would you consi'
,rn me one of your friends? Would
md say. "Well. If you don't like my mot
tho or nv children will turn them out
oa doors in order that you may feel a
mo tie happier?" Oh, no; you would ra
,qh er say: what is good enough for
non mother and my children is good eno'
l,ro for YOU when you are in my hot
ard When you are rude to my kith ana
he and loved ones, then you dishonor n
bie So the members of a congregation c
is not honor Gou unless at the same {
ike. they are ready to welcome and no
lied all of Gods children, no matter
lid. what social caste they may belong.
yor Honor the Church.
this But, though Christian etiquette
% Is the house of God should mean M
ONE how many churches are sinfully Try
9 ir- to become the churches of class ins'
our Of the churches Of great Chris
ever democracy? Can we not, one ana
be large hearted enough to know
urch there is only one true gospel aristo
the cy, and that belongs to the noble
hab- ing class which Jesus described "
alao ho so;d "Whosoeyer will be c