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Church Etiquette

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 8, 1906

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 83, No. 45.

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Church Etiquette

By W. M. Crothers

W. M. CROTHERS
Of the true God, the Creator of the heavens and the earth, it is said in the Holy Scriptures that he is holy, righteous, perfect, infinite in power, might, goodness, love, mercy, compassion, pity, and every other quality of good. Heaven is his throne, and earth is his footstool. He “sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grass-hoppers.” Before him “the nations are as a drop of a bucket, and are counted as the small dust of the balance.” His greatness is incomprehensible to man. David says, “Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable.” Of the ineffable glory and majesty of his person, much has been written in the Word of truth, but little comprehended. Paul writes of him, “Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see.” In his unveiled presence man would perish, and from his presence, by and by, the heavens and the earth will flee away. He can be approached only through a mediator.
His presence in any place or thing makes it holy. At the burning bush he said to Moses, “Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground.” His presence in the Sabbath makes it holy, and his presence in man makes him holy. He is the Lord, our righteousness. His presence in the tabernacle and the temple hallowed those places of worship so that the unclean and the sinner could not enter; while the righteous, the pure in heart, and even the consecrated priest, must draw near to worship and do service with the greatest reverence and adoration for him “who inhabiteth eternity,” and before whom angels and arch-angels prostrate themselves and do homage. The worshipers also gave scrupulous care to their persons and dress, and all the services were regarded with awe and solemnity.
When a house has been builded for, and dedicated to, the worship of God, it is no longer a common place, and can not be treated as such without dishonoring and showing disrespect, if not contempt, for the One who is invited to meet with us therein. The Lord and holy angels are there, and the worshipers should deport themselves with reverence and godly fear, as in their presence. To do otherwise is to dishonor the Lord and grieve away the Holy Spirit.
Paul writes to the leaders of the Christian churches which were under his care, “that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God;” and he gives careful instruction to the Corinthians on the same subject (1 Corinthians 14), and exhorts that all things be done decently and in order. Verse 40. Notwithstanding all these considerations, many are careless, and thoughtlessly offend. The following suggestions, most of which appeared recently in a secular paper, if studied and practised with a true sense of their appropriateness by all who attend the house of God, would make the place of worship more inviting to both angels and men, and the services would produce deeper, more lasting, and more helpful impressions upon all:—
1. If possible, be on time. You need at least a few minutes after coming in, to get warm or cool, to compose your body and mind, and to whisper a prayer before the service begins.
2. Find your seat before the minister enters the pulpit, and bow your head while he breathes a silent prayer for help.
3. Never pass up the aisle during prayer or Scripture reading. If you do, your action will distract the minds of many in the audience.
4. Be devout and reverential in attitude. All whispering, or making other noises, should be studiously avoided. Find the hymn, and sing if you can. Share your book with your neighbor if he has none.
5. If the sermon has begun, take a seat near the door, so as not to divert the attention of others.
6. Be thoughtful for the comfort of others. Take the inside of the pew, if you are the first to enter, and leave all vacant space at the end of the seat.
7. If in your own church, sit up front, if there is room. Sitting on the back seat, when there are vacant ones in front, shows lack of interest, and disrespect for the speaker.
8. In a quiet way, speak a bright, cheery word to as many as possible at the close of the service, especially to strangers, but never visit.
9. Never put on your coat, overshoes, or wraps during the closing hymn, nor make your way to the door.
10. Do not engage in loud talking or make a rush for the door immediately after the benediction is pronounced. Laughing or jesting are not to be tolerated in the house of worship.
Grand Rapids, Mich.