The Washington herald., 1908-04-19
a. rae ARnITER.

By THE ARBITER.
A year ago one OF the popular maga-
zines published a series OF illustrated
articles upon the reception accorded to a
stranger by the churches of various de-
nominations in several Of the large cities
of the country. They were written by
the person who had been sent to gather
the material for them, and 1t cannot be
said that they were either helpful or
Illuminating. though suggestive they
doubtless were; suggestive OF provincial
ism, egotism, and a certain willingness in
some people to look for the letter and
not the spirit. The writer assumed that
when a stranger enters Il church she
should be given an especial welcome by
the clergyman officiating. the ushers on
duty. and the congregation In attend
ance which point Of view reminds one
Of the story Of the young clergyman who
sought out young woman, an evident
stranger, after the service was over, and.
shaking her by the hand, said he was
happy TO welcome her to his congrega-
ton and hoped to see her some time in
her own home. as he made IL 2 point to
visit all Of his parishioners.
Please don't, sir" she said, III you
want TO keep your good looks. for I've
got a steady already and he's a strong
one"
There are many reasons why a clergy
man cannot seek out and welcome all
the strangers that may visit his church.
If he has a large congregation it is al
most impossible to pick out strange faces
from among the more familiar Ones If
the service has been a long one he is too
tired to stand up for an impromptu re-
ception, even If the church was fitting
place for such. and if the strenge visitor
is a person OF refinement she would re-
sent being made conspicuous by atten
tions being thrust upon her when she
may have come, soul-weary and stricken,
for communion and the helpfulness the
service might give. Church is surely not
the place, or should not be the place.
where one would seek 10 add to ones &C
quaintance or look for social recognition.
These come inevitably 10 the self-re-
specting, devout member of a church
after she has affiliated herself with it;
meantime, II the friendship and help
material or spiritual-of the pastor are
spoken, but 1t is a little too much 10
: expect that the clergyman Of a large
church should rush around after service
ferreting out strangers TO effUsively make
them welcome, whether or no they are
seeking RECOGNITION. Such course Is a
reflection upon the visitor. implies that
she is shy childish. unaccustOmed to the
world, and savors Of patroniZing- The
clergymen Of the day need no suggestions
in this regard. no reforming: but there is
much need Of reformation in other church
matters in general. and one in particu-
lar, that is the feeling and conduct Of
the pewholders In the large and fashion-
able churches toward those less fortunate.
the. selhshness they evinCe In the use Of
their pews, the lack OF hospitality shown.
'I did not enjoy the service at all this
morning" said a fashionable church wo-
man not many Sundays ago. "for they let
a stranger into my pew, and I was SO
annoyed that I could not take In the
sermon" Now, that was, verify. Chris
tian spirit, the spirit shown by such a
remark. What does this fashionable wo-
man attend church for il not 10 learn
humility. unselhshness. and to practice
brotherly love? Yet, this pride Of pew
ownership is more general than one
would suppose, and the greatest travesty
on the Christian religion IS to go into
one of the fashionable churches for sun
day morning service and to see the back
of the church crowded, while many OF
the pews are closed until the arrival Of
their tardy owners. or the time in the
service arrives when they are no longer
expected Were seats. do you suppose,
reserved in the CatacOmbs of Rome for
rich and late cOmers? Or was every one
who entered warmly received and given
the best place available? Was not the
life and teaching of Christ all against
class distinctions? And yet to-day the
naughty spirit the pride In wealth ana
mower which preceded the Christian era
are abroad not only in the land, but IN
the church congregations, and to many
the words Of the Golden Rule are mere
words. with no deep and beautiful mean
ing. Some churches have adopted the
plan to have the pevs free, and TINS
cannot be too much commended; 1t puts
the rich and the poor on the Same loot
ing and makes the spirit Of brotherhood
a real thing.
Another
severely condemned is that Of visiting the
churches Of which they are not members
and with which they have no sympathy,
by people who go simply . be enter
tanned and amused as they would go to
n theater. If these visitors conducted
themselves properly. subscribed outward
". at least, TO the forms Of the church,
their presence would not be unacceptable,
but unfortunately. there are many who
do not show this courtesy and their lack
of sympathy is felt by those TO whom the
place, the time. and the uttered words
are sacred. II one does not believe one
can, at least, show the spirit OF reverence,
and it is we'll to remember that
The Unseen Power, whose eye
Forever doth accompany mankind.
Hath looked on no religion scoTnfully
That men did ever find.
The habit of overdressing for church,
that some Of our women indulge in, is
In extremely bad taste A church pew
* not a showcase. and one does not go
there to inspect the fashions or to be in
spected. Gorgeous silks, satins. velvets,
snowy bonnets, and flashing jewels are out
Of place in a house of worship, and serve
10 distract the attention of the truly de-
vout. A respecter of religion can have
no sympathy with the fashionable clergy
man who said. with some JUNCTION, From
my pulpit at the Sunday morning service
can count thousands and thousands Of
dollars In the diamonds worn by my rich
parishioners." An obtrusive plainness Of
attire, forced rigidity are equally TO be
condemned. for one should look ones hap
plest and ones best at church and carry
there all the sunshine and brightness
kindness and good will possible. 1t Is a
significant criticism on the social Gus
toms Of our day when dressmakers and