Year: 1860




as in charch. In no public gathering o.


any other kind is misbehayior so inexcus.
able, anil no VIII, re else is it so marked


While; therefore, it cannot be expected
that every enc should enter nto the servi.
ces Of Divine worship with feeling inter-
est-though it is desirable that they
should-it is expected that every one
who lays claim to intelligence and refine
ment should conduct themselves with a
decorous propriety. We are sorry to say
however, that the real number Of those
who prove themselves real gentlemen and
ladies by this test, is not as large as it
might be.


Talking and laughing in church are
such gross violations of good order that
they need scarce be named. No person
who has the least desire to be well behav
ed will fall into such open impropricties


True, circumstances might happen
which would render some talk necessary,
and there might occur incidents of so lu-
dlcrous nature that to restrain laughter
would be impossible. But these are ex-
treme cases. Ordinarily the conversations
carried on during services are unnecesa-
ry and without excuse. Laughter is still
more inexcusable, especially if it be at
any part of the service. 1t is sadly true
that the singing, praying and preach
ing IN our churches are not always mark
ed by that digni6ed solemnity which
should characterize all the ordinances of
Gods house. All of our pastors are
not learned, and some who are learned
are not blessed with ready sense of
propriety. But those who are continual
y on the alert to detect soleci,ms or mis-
pronunciations Of the preacher, or false
notes of the singers, are wrong them
selves. Ii their superior attainments en-
able them to discover these imperfcc,ions,
the discovery should excite sorrow rather
than mirth. A critical temper is directly
opposed to that reverent devotion which
we should ever feel when we come before
the Most High; but when it is attended
by disposition to ridicule, il becomes
positively sinful.


1t is rule of good manners t. at you
'houll give your attention to the person
who Is speaking to you. This rule holds
equally good whether the speaker be up
on the rostrum, or be engaged with you
in private conversation. You cannot in
any way treat man with more disrespect
than by showing that you pay not the
least regard 10 what he is saying. Hence
those persons who read or sleep is church
OF occupy the time devoted to the ex-
pounding Of tie Scriptures in looking a.
round and crticising the dress and ap-
pearance Of their neiy yhbors, are guilty Of
impoliteness. II the character OF the
preacher OR the style of his oratory is
such that they cannot listen to him with
patience, they had better stay at home
There is no compulsion in the natter
They need not attend church if they do
not wish; but if they do, politeness and
respect for themselves demand that they
should give him an attentive hearing, or
at least seem to do SO.


1t must be confessed that congre cations
often have to exhibit politeness in this
particular at the expense of great deal
of patience. Many of our preachers are
ignorant or forgetful of the fact that the
rarest eloquence or even divine music, will
tire the ear if too long continued. -
They draw out their disceurses to the
most immoderate lengths, apparently OBJ
llvlous that their hsarers are seated upon
benches Of rather doubtful pleasantness,
and not altogether as much impressed
with the Importance of the subject as the
speaker may be. People who are fond OF
talking are apt to forget that others are
not equally fond of hearing. Preachers
sin against their congregations who thus
tax their patience. An hour is just as
long a time as sermon should ever oc-
cupy, unless it should be under some ex-
traordinary circumstances, and it is all
ways better to fall short of than to exceed
that duration. But minister who habit
ually breaches an hour and quarter or
half, can net retain hold upon the peo-
pic, except by display of the highest
powers of eloquence.


Some persons are in the habit of leav-
g.church during services. Some do this
thoughtlessly; others with deliberate
purpose of showing disrespect. To these
.latter we have nothing to say; the former
we would remind that such conduct is ex>
ceedingly rude. When once you have
entered house of worship, let nothing
but the most Imperative necessity cause
you to leave until the services are con
cluded. "


Origin of the Iron Fridge.